News, Views & Issues

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Commission - October 2006 Report -- re: Request for comments
Deadline for Response: January 25, 2007
The OIE's Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission met in October 2006 to discuss various issues including animal diseases and welfare. The report from this meeting resulted in 22 different documents that would be of interest to industry.
Download Instructions for submitting comments
Download Part 1 (documents 1-6 above) / Download Part 2 (documents 7-13)
Download Part 3 (documents 14-21 / Download Part 4 (document 1q)
Any questions may be directed to Debra.Beasley@aphis.usda.gov for Dr. Michael David, Director, National Center for Import and Export, Sanitary International Standards Team, USDA Veterinary Services, michael.j.david@aphis.usda.gov

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Aviation Security: Proposals on the Security of Live Animals Carried by Air
September 2005 Consultation Paper
Distributed by: Cargo & Aviation Security, Department for Transport - London
Deadline for response to AATA: November 1, 2005
Submit comments to: Email AATA European Office

AATA European Secretary (Email): "This may affect any AATA or IPATA member, so will appreciate any comments from members. They seem only to have pets in mind [dogs and cats]. What about day old chicks, Horses, zoo species, containers, handlers and their equipment, intermediate road transport from 'secure' loading to airport, identity switching, rumen boluses, etc? I am told this may not even preclude use of a decompression chamber! Since we are concerned with safety, we need to consider and propose the positives. Use of LVI certification? This will need the input of the BVA and similar organisations in Europe/elsewhere. Security seals on all livestock trucks - practical?? Is X-ray acceptable [we believe that El-Al X-rays all animals anyway], there appears to be no harm to the animal. Have they machines big enough for a horse, an elephant? Who wants to put his hand into the rottweiler cage? I can see some possible advantages for AATA or IPATA members becoming 'known shippers' if as a result ALL private shipments have to pass via an IPATA member. Is this feasible? This might justify the annual fee."

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Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Humane and Healthful Transport of Wild Mammals and Birds to the United States
Distributed by : U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Federal Register's Closing Date for Comments: December 15, 2005
Deadline for submitting comments to AATA: November 15, 1005
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on the humane and healthful transport of wild mammals and birds to the United States. The advanced notice seeks input into USFWS plans to update the current regulations which were published in 1992 and to bring them up to date with industry standard such as the IATA Live Animals Regulations, to provide more detailed species-specific transport regulations, and to address other air and non-air transport issues.
The notice may be found at: http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/05-18416.pdf

News, Views & Issues (in date order)