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E transition for the animals,” said Nair.
“This ensures a smooth and less stressful
nsuring the safety and welfare of
animals transported by air comes
Meanwhile, Andre Majeres, Head of
with a lot of challenges including
proper handling, routing limitations
and creating a suitable environment. How- E-commerce and Cargo Operations at
the International Air Transport Associa-
ever, global air cargo stakeholders are up tion (IATA) noted that IATA has several key
for the game and have been raising the bar concerns regarding the transportation of
consistently. While there is growing scrutiny live animals by air.
in the cross-border movement of animals “However,” he said, “the main focus
from a biosecurity perspective, companies, remains to ensure the welfare and safety of
organisations and associations are coming the animals through a number of important
together to share experiences and learn- I've personally requirements in the transport process.”
ings. Experts are emphatic about proper He added, “No stress and no harm during
planning, standardised processes, and seen welfare issues transport is paramount.”
trained personnel for safe and stress-free
transportation of animals. like animals being Planning the journey
There are different concerns and While it is important to ensure the safety
priorities shared by each stakeholder left outside when and welfare of animals, the whole process
depending upon which part of the they should be in a starts with planning. In fact, Majeres thinks
supply chain they are responsible that planning the journey is the decisive fac-
for. For instance, the most significant covered environment tor when transporting live animals by air.
concern for Arun Nair, Product or, they are left in a Sean Harding, President of the Animal
Manager, Etihad Cargo, is Transportation Association (ATA) agrees
the stress animals hot environment when with this notion.
may endure Harding said, “The shipper has got to be
during the they should be in proficient in air shipping and they need to
process. somewhere cooler. know the export and import regulations.
“We ensure The receiver needs to know the import
that stress levels are Sean Harding regulations, and then the freight forwarder
minimised by maintaining an Animal Transportation Association (ATA) and logistics providers need to know how
ambient temperature from accept- all those regulations intertwine. And then
ance to delivery, including throughout the jour- be able to book the most direct routing
ney,” he said. with the least amount of transit time, with
Etihad Cargo has Live- the most reliable partner getting into and
Animals and SkyStables products to out of the different stations at the right time
mitigate stress, prevent injuries, and avoid to monitor temperatures.”
fatalities. There are also different strategies ATA is a Minnesota-based non-profit
while onboard our aircraft. Additionally, adopted by companies to mitigate the association dedicated to the safe trans-
we strive to reduce excessive shock stress. For example, Etihad Cargo utilises portation of animals worldwide and was
and noise during transport to and from dedicated vehicles specifically designed first established in 1976 as the Animal Air
the aircraft. The availability of trained for bulk hold loading to transport animals Transportation Association. The members of
staff and veterinarians to monitor the between the aircraft and their animal the association comprise stakeholders from
animals further ensures their well-being handling facilities. across the live animal supply chain.

PHOTO: Equitrans Logistics

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