Pet Alert: US Air Transport Regulations

[Paul Holthus]

To those in the industry behind the hobby,

As part of MAC's ongoing efforts to interact with PIJAC in ensuring the US government is well informed about the responsible, ethical marine ornamentals industry, we want to make sure you are aware that there is US legal regulations pending on the air transport that would severely affect the marine ornamentals trade.

As always, PIJAC has worked on your behalf re this legislation and the government and the deadline for comments has been extended to 27 December. Those of you that are members of PIJAC would be aware of this and would have receive the Pet Alert on this issues.

The details are found in the Pet Alert, which we have worked w reefs.org to make available to you at:
http://reefs.org/library/talklog/p_holt ... et%20Alert%
20re%20FAA.pdf

There is an article in the Wall Street Journal today on the issue. This is at:

http://reefs.org/library/talklog/p_holt ... %20Airline%2
0pet%20mortality.pdf

or at the Wall Street Journal site:
WSJ.com - When Pigs Fly: FAA Rule Pits Breeders vs. Rights Activists*


If you would need more information, contact PIJAC at 202 452-1525
If you have problems opening that links to the articles, please contact reegs.org

Sincerely,
Paul

 

[jamesw]

FYI: The web addresses that Paul posted are long and the software cut them off. In order to view the documents, you must cut and paste the address into your web browser.

Cheers
James

 

[Kalkbreath]

funny, MAC again seems to have forgotten, that its the little things that count. Like making information actually available? Their quick response to correct flaws is also consistent.
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[Agu]

I just learned about this legislation today in the local paper.

Pending FAA rules would require air carriers to inspect all shipments of live animals and file reports on any dead animals. In a shipment of fish (and corals if they realize they're live animals) each individual bag would have to be inspected, death would have to be determined, and a report would have to be filed. Check this link, http://www.ncpa.org/iss/reg/2002/pd122002d.html This legislation would create gridlock, tie up shipments while some hourly govt employee tries to figure out what the heck is in the bag (and determine if it's alive), and inflate shipping costs through the roof. This is onerous paperwork pushed by ??? in an attempt to wipe out the pet industry imo. The deadline for input is Dec 27th. I've heard from a friend that 2000 replies supporting this legislation have been filed versus only 200 objections. If this passes the cost of livestock could go through the roof, which is what opponents of the pet industry have in mind.

BTW, does MASNA or any other industry group have a stand or a way for us to speak up in the next five days?

Agu

 

[Kalkbreath]

Seems this would not apply to international flights ?
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[Agu]

Kalkbreath,

Don't know about international flights by foreign carriers, but as as I understand it US carriers need to report on every animal. Does your LFS get direct shipments from overseas, if not the animals are subject to these rules. This would also include any livestock you mail order, every animal could be inspected and accounted for every time it's shipped via air carrier.

Agu

 

[Kalkbreath]

I do it direct as well as transhipped from LAX .So I could deal with direct only.
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[kylen]

If memory serves me correct, any airline flying into or out of the US is subject to FAA regulations. This would mean it doesn't matter if a flight originated from overseas. The shipments would be subject to the same regulations as a domestic flight. What a mess!!

 

[Kalkbreath]

Without Knowing how many fish were DOA priior to take off, any collected data apon arrival would be of little use...........Also the number of fish dying waiting to be counted ....... .out of the warm box...................... in an open air hanger at Cleveland in December......... as some one attemptes to count how many of the two hundred neon tetras in the bag are moving? This would be an easy lawsuit to win , because the solution would harm more then help and the alternatives{ Ground}would kill many more then air travel. Also ,with the number of seafood items being shipped MORE then PET trade .........any data would be silly since we all know every Crawfish/ Lobster will be steamed alive until dead anyway in a week so what its the point?
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[MaryHM]

I've organized a campaign, similar to the one we did for the Caulerpa ban. Access the info at http://www.reefsource.com/CurrentCampaign.htm

 

[Agu]

Mary,

Thanks for the input !! I highly encourage everyone to check Marys site and respond regarding this legislation !!

Agu

 

[Kalkbreath]

"being kept as a pet of, or will be kept...........lets just call all fish, feeder fish ? "What defines an incident?
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[dizzy]

Mary,

I posted a message on the AMDA forum notifying members that PIJAC had sent this alert out back a few weeks ago when it came out. Randy Goodlett's comments (via the forum) made me feel there was no reason to be concerned and that this legislation was not being pushed by animal rights people. The issue got treated like it wasn't serious, so it is interesting to see Paul H. bringing it up at this late date. All lfs owners should probably consider joining PIJAC as it is the one organization that seems to be aware of all the new legislation aimed to hurt the pet trade.

BTW AMDA is still not trying to rally the troops so are you sure this is really serious?

MG

 

[MaryHM]

Mitch,

If you base the seriousness of an issue on whether or not AMDA is rallying the troops, lord help you! When has AMDA ever rallied the troops? And issues I pushed through AMDA when I was on the board don't count. Yes, I think it's serious. Any legislation as vague as this one is serious. Do I think the FAA wants to shut down the fish trade? No. But this legislation could be used by animal rights activists in the future. It's a lot easier to fix legislation before it becomes a law. Trying to fight it 5 years from now when the animal activists are trying to shut us down would be futile.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for getting the word out, Paul! Thank you for so quickly organizing a write-in campaign, Mary!

I recommend that hobbyists write in with concerns at the location provided by Mary.

MASNA has been formulating its response as well.

Sincerely,
Lee Morey
MASNA - Membership and P.R.

 

[JennM]

I'm in no way trying to diminish the seriousness of the concerns regarding this potential legislation, but are we SURE that fish/corals/inverts fall under the FAA's definition of "animal"? IMO the legislation is being proposed to protect the lives of mammals, birds and maybe even reptiles, but could easily be clarified with a definition of "animal" as it pertains to the legislation.

I have not read all the links/literature yet...but those were my first impressions.

Also, the airlines make a considerable amount of MONEY from the transportation of fish/corals/inverts on passenger planes -- how do you think seat sales are subsidized? AIR FREIGHT!

I think we need to make our voices heard but I'm also thinking it's somewhat of a tempest in a teacup.

JMHO as always.

Jenn

 

[MaryHM]

Jenn,

That's exactly what we're trying to do- get a clarification as to the wording so it pertains to dogs and cats and not fish. Legislation saying "Animal" could pertain to any living creature, no matter what the intent of the bill is. We aren't trying to stop the legislation, just change the vague parts. It would help if you'd read the info BEFORE you post .

 

[ianstein]

Word to the wise always assume the U.S. govt will overstep it's bounds if given any wiggle room. The spirit of the law becomes meaningless only the written law count for regulators.

 

[Agu]

Hmmm, maybe the link I posted is invisible,

http://www.ncpa.org/iss/reg/2002/pd122002d.html


And just in case you couldn't find Marys website to read those links,


http://www.reefsource.com/CurrentCampaign.htm

If we're wrong, and we were proactive we'll never know. But if we assume it's not a problem until the fecal matter hits the air motion unit it'll be too late. So it takes 10 minutes to read the info and submit comments, is that too much to ask??

Agu

 

[Kalkbreath]

I still need to know what an incident is? This new rule is for when an incident occurs? And we all know that you cant "PET " our animals they are under water ....so they are not pets by definition! My sources thinks that this is an attempted to have a discovery of what has actually died in the box,when paying out an insurance claim. Such as when a shipment is bumped and the thirty six hour time window has overrun... seems that anytime an "INCIDENT" such as this happens....... that there are quite a few total losses occuring on that thirtysixth hour! How does the airline know if all the animals in the box expired or not?
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