ANIMAL TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION
29th International Conference
April 6 - 9, 2003 - Wyndham City Center Hotel - Washington, D.C.
 

 

An Underwriter’s Perspective:  Its Affect on Insurance Nial McKibbin, Bloodstock Underwriter, Catlin Underwriting Agencies, Ltd. pointed out that livestock is slightly different to bloodstock primarily in the way some species are transported.  Depending upon the type of animals, there are occasions where insurance cover will not be granted unless there is a vet present.  Underwriters request that drugs are administered by vets as these professionals have a certain level of knowledge, experience and ability.  Also, in the unusual event that the vet makes an error or is negligent, there is protection for underwriters as vets will have PI insurance whereas attendants will not have this protection. Underwriters understand that it is not practical for vets to travel with all transits.  For this reason underwriters would consider amending insurance policies where attendants have reached a minimum standard which the veterinary industry believes is of a high enough standard to be able to, in an emergency, competently inject the correct dose, of the correct drug, in the correct manner.

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OIE’s Role In Developing Protocols for Animal Transport Dr. Peter Fernandez, Associate Administrator, USDA/APHIS International Services, is the official U.S. Delegate to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the international standard setting organization on animal health.  He is also the First Vice-President of the OIE Commission of the Americas. Dr. Fernandez provided a brief overview of the OIE’s structure, objectives, specialist commissions, working groups and ad hoc groups.  He pointed out that there is an essential linkage between animal health and animal welfare.  OIE is well placed to provide international leadership on animal welfare and, as such, animal welfare has been identified by the Member Countries as high priority for the 2001-2005 Strategic Plan.  The animal welfare issue is complex and has important scientific, ethical, economical and political dimensions.

Priority will be given to welfare of animals used in agriculture and aquaculture.  Transportation, humane slaughter and killing for disease control will be addressed first, followed by housing and management.  The permanent Working Group coordinates and manages the OIE’s animal welfare activities.  This group first met in October 2002.  The Working Group saw, as its first task, the development of policies and guiding principles to provide a sound foundation from which to develop guidelines and standards.  The Working Group developed a detailed work programme for 2003 with specific topics being addressed through Ad Hoc Groups utilizing expertise inside and outside government.  OIE is aware of the importance of involvement by a broad range of stakeholders and is keen to use all available expertise and resources – academia, research community, industry and other relevant organizations – to ensure the best outcomes.  Therefore, they have commenced discussions with various NGO’s.  The First Global Conference on Animal Welfare is scheduled for February 2004, with AATA as part of the organizing panel.  Dr. Fernandez encouraged AATA to follow the animal welfare advancements within the OIE, to work through their country’s OIE delegate, to provide the OIE with know names of experts and relevant text/guidelines and to assist the OIE with the Global Conference.

 

FDA – Approved Drug Use in Transport of Horses:  The Compliance Side of the Coin Dr. Gillian Anne Comyn, Veterinary Medical Officer for the Office of Surveillance & Compliance with the USDA Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).  The CVM regulates the manufacture and distribution of food additives and drugs that will be given to animals.  The Office of Surveillance & Compliance assesses and monitors drug safety after it is approved. Rx drug labels must state “Caution:  Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a license veterinarian.”  The veterinarian affixes his/her own label to the bottle or syringes being dispensed.  It is illegal for a layperson to use either Rx or OTC (Over the Counter) drugs in an “extralabel” manner unless it is done under the supervision or by order of a licensed veterinarian.  As with Rx drugs, the veterinarian has to have a “valid client patient relationship” with the horse and horse owner (or trainer, or groom).

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FDA – Approved Drugs for Use in Emergency Equine Situations – Air/Sea Transportation Dr. Tania D. Woerner, Veterinary Medical Officer for the Office of Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation with the USDA Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).  Dr. Woerner further expanded on the requirement that drugs be administered under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian and within the context of a valid Veterinary Client-Patient Relationship.  She outlined considerations when handling emergencies such as the experience of the horse handlers, avoiding shipping pregnant mares and avoiding routine tranquilization prior to transport.  However, emergencies do occur, such as colic, traumatic injuries and fear or frenzy which may require medication during transit.  Dr. Woerner’s presentation outlined various drugs that could be used for emergency situation and some cautions in use of those drugs.  She also spoke briefly on euthanasia and pointed out those that would be acceptable methods during transit.

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New Zealand’s Quality Assurance Program (QAP) for the Use of Prescription Animal Remedies for the Safe Sea and Air Transport of Horses Dr. Ivan Bridge, President-Elect of the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association (NZEVA) presented the Code of Practice and Quality Assurance Programme recently established by the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association. The essence of the program is to have Supervising Veterinarians – who register as such ---and who work with registered equine grooms instruct the groom in the wherein the use of a select group of drugs.  Dr. Bridges made clear that the key to their program is that “The relationship of the groom is to the Supervising Veterinarian, and not to the transport company.”

Limiting the types of drugs covered by this plan was also a strong requirement prior to its adoption.  When the listed drugs are administered to an equine in transport, meticulous record keeping is mandated. Recording is an integral part of the QAP / Quality Assurance Programme.  It would appear the program calls for Internal Audits of the Supervising Veterinarian 25% of the time and random audits of the grooms occurring for 20% of the time.  It should be noted that the NZEVA Quality Assurance Programme has been adopted by the New Zealand Ministry, and is currently public policy.  The Conference audience was extremely impressed with Dr Bridges presentation, and applauded the presentation vigorously. At this year’s AATA Awards Banquet The 2003 Public Service Award was presented to The New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association in recognition of their vision and work on their Quality Assurance Programme.  Dr. Ivan Bridge accepted on their behalf.

 

OPEN FORUM:  “Carriage of Prescription Drugs by Grooms Traveling with Horses by Sea & Air”  The Forum Participants and their affiliated group were as follows: American Association of Equine Practitioners – Dr. Scott Palmer, Vice-President Australian Embassy - Dr. Philip J. Corrigan, Agricultural Attaché Australian Equine Veterinary Association - Dr. Barry Smyth, Secretary Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Dr. Gord Doonan, Chief, Humane Transportation New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association - Dr. Ivan Bridge, President-Elect New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry – Dr. Kerry Mulqueen, National Advisor – Import/Biosecurity USDA APHIS, Veterinary Services – Dr. Andrea Morgan, Associate Deputy Administrator for Regional Programs USDA Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Veterinary Medicine – Dr. Gillian Comyn, Chief Medical Officer, Office of Surveillance & Compliance USDA Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Veterinary Medicine – Dr. Tania Woerner, Chief Medical Officer, Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation World Equine Veterinary Association – Dr. Desmond Leadon, President-Elect  Forum participants discussed in broad terms the following issues:  insurance liability; the role of the equine in some global markets as a part of the food chain; veterinary practitioners governing bodies and their regulatory roles; the role of the Good Samaritan in the administration of first aid and/or medications to the airline animal passenger; the contents of a “VetKit” on an aircraft; the aircraft’s Captain’s acceptance of said kit; Firearms on board aircraft – with discussions of bullets and captive bolts; airline security issues; lock boxes to securing drugs on board aircraft; governmental regulation of veterinary drugs in transit.  Obviously the discussion was fluid and quick paced.  While positive remarks were made by most attendees, including Dr. Andrea Morgan of the USDA and Dr. Scott Palmer of the AAEP, the forum was not without its dissenting views.  The Australian position was a resounding affirmation that only veterinarians should be administering prescription drugs.  Dr. Des Leadon, of WEVA, presented another voice of cautionary dissent on this subject.  One of his objections centered on liability - to the veterinarian who dispensed the medicine, the groom, and or agent in charge of shipping the animal, from an Insurance perspective.   Dr. Leadon suggested this issue would be better solved if it were left to the airline and the aircraft personal, and not made a matter of the grooms charge.   Many present did not share his view, particularly in light of a model already in existence in New Zealand, and endorsed by their Government, which addresses and solves this problem.   In fact, Dr. Morgan praised the AATA for being at the forefront of this issue and for focusing worldwide attention to it.   The AATA will continue to emphasize issues, which reach across borders to develop a global solution to this problem.  In essence we came, we discussed, and some agreed to disagree.   Most importantly, however, the AATA was the venue, which launched a detailed dialogue of a very sensitive issue facing the International movement of animals globally.  It was a good beginning. Summary: Much progress has been made in the identification of the “Flying Farmacies" issues  the animal transport industry faces in the global economy. From the outstanding Programme created by the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association, the groundwork and model has been established for continuous improvement and resolution to the issues of what veterinary drugs are allowable on aircraft, the recording of drug administration, and the random audits necessary to assure compliance and quality control.  Resolution: While no formal resolution to the issue occurred during the Open Forum, the fact that so many learned and recognizable figures agreed to meet to discuss this is the first step toward an ultimate solution.  It was widely recognized during the meeting that this topic does require more in depth discussion and input.   The AATA is seeking to develop a Working Group to discuss this matter further.   It would appear, as in most subjects relating to the movement of animals and resolution of problems, the process ahead will be lengthy, well thought out and complete in its attention to detail.  L to R Top: Dr. Tania Woerner, Dr. Andrea Morgan, Dr. Ivan Bridge, Martin Atock (AATA Equine Committee Chair), Dr. Des Leadon L to R Bottom:  Dr. Gillian Comyn, Dr. Gord Doonan, Philip Corrigan, Dr. Kerry Mulqueen, Dr. Barry Smyth, Dr. Scott Palmer

 

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