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NFC: end of Shipping Fish ?
SENATE ADOPTS BILL RESTRICTING AIR TRAVEL FOR PETS
The Issue.
While the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act (<A HREF="C:\America Online
4.0\download\PETALERT.htm">SB</A> 1193) remains pending in the Senate
Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, its provisions have now
been
appended in their entirety without a hearing or debate to the Federal
Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. That bill (SB 82) addresses
myriad air transport issues, and authorizes funding to maintain the
nation's
air transportation system. In a last-minute move on the Senate floor,
Senator
Lautenberg successfully amended Senate Bill 82 to insert the provisions
of
his bill, which places expensive restrictions on commercial airlines
carying
live animals. That bill has been adopted by the Senate and, if the
Lautenberg
provisions survive a conference committee, may put an end to the
commercial
air transport of animals in the United States.
The Impact.
As reported in a PetAlert distributed to the industry in early August,
Senate
Bill 1193 would require airlines to institute several modifications to
their
aircraft and policies governing transport of live animals. Air carriers
of
live animals would be required to:
Submit information about each flight to USDA at least 24 hours in advance
of
the flight.
Submit detailed reports about each incident involving the loss, injury,
death
or mishandling of an animal, and produce annual reports about all
incidents
as well as any consumer complaints.
Ensure crew members are alerted that the aircraft is carrying animals,
and
institute a training program.
Publish information on risks associated with air travel for animals,
conditions under which animals are transported, the carrier's safety
record,
and plans for handling animals before and after the actual flight and
during
flight delays.
Make structural modifications to aircraft which include installation of
positive airflow and heating/cooling systems.
Under the bill, any air transport of animals in a cargo or baggage
compartment would be prohibited after December 31, 2000, except in
aircraft
complying with new structural mandates, flown by airlines conforming to
the
new reporting requirements.
SB 1193 (and now provisions of SB 82) amends both Title 7 of the U.S.
Code
(Animal Welfare Act) and Title 49 (regulation of air carriers). "Animals"
in
the context of the AWA includes only warm-blooded animals. However, this
term
is not defined for purposes of Title 49, Chapter 417. Therefor, all
animals
would presumably be subject to these provisions, including birds,
reptiles,
amphibians and other aquatic animals. Indications are that airlines will
simply cease acting as carriers for live animals rather than conform to
these
expensive restrictions. Thus, this measure could all but shut down trade
in
numerous species of pet animals in this country.
Recommended Action.
PIJAC is in contact with conferees already named to the committee
considering
SB 82. As of this writing, Senate Democrats have not named conferees, nor
have Democrats or Republicans from the House of Representatives. Animal
rights organizations also continue to be very active on this bill with
members of the House and Senate committees reporting the measure. They
are
lobbying hard to keep the amendment in this bill. It is important to
immediately contact members of the conference committee on SB 82.
Conferees need to be told that provisions of SB 1193 should not be
adopted in
this summary fashion because:
These provisions appear to be based on erroneous information and may not
be
necessary.
These provisions would be more properly discussed in the respective House
and
Senate committees considering HB 2776 and SB 1193, where they may receive
a
fair hearing on the merits.
This amendment would result in substantial costs, the extent of which is
not
yet known.
It is wrong to adopt an amendment at the last minute without any hearings
or
debate!
Whom to Contact
Telephone, fax and email the Senate members serving on the conference
committee. Also, contact Senator Ernest Hollings (the ranking Democrat on
the
Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee) to find out who will
be
appointed to the conference committee for the Democrats, and contact the
House Transportation & Infrastructure Chair and ranking Democrat to
determine
who the appointees will be for the House side. The contact numbers for
all of
these members are listed below.
Emphasize (in a polite and respectful fashion) your strong opposition to
the
amendments attaching SB 1193's provisions to the reauthorization bill.
House conferees should reject this amendment (which is not in their
version
of the bill).
Senate conferees should exclude these provisions from their version and
allow
them to be properly debated in the respective Senate and House committees
considering SB 1193 and HB 2776.
Should you have questions about this action, or how best to follow up,
contact PIJAC's Marshall Meyers or Michael Maddox at 1-800-553-PETS
(7387).
SENATOR PHONE FAX EMAIL
Conrad R. Burns (R-MT)* 202-224-2644 202-224-8594
conrad_burns at burns_senate.gov
Pete V. Domenici (R-NM) 202-224-6621
senator_domenici at domenici_senate.gov
Slade Gorton (R-WA)* 202-224-3441 202-224-9393 senator at gorton_senate.gov
Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) 202-224-3744 202-224-6020
chuck_grassley at grassley_senate.gov
Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC)* 202-224-6121 202-224-4293
senator at hollings_senate.gov
John McCain (R-AZ)* 202-224-2235 202-224-2862
senator_mccain at mccain_senate.gov
Don Nickles (R-OK) 202-224-5754 202-224-6008 senator at nickles_senate.gov
Trent Lott (R-MS)* 202-224-6253 202-224-2262 senatorlott at lott_senate.gov
Ted Stevens (R-AK)* 202-224-3004 202-224-2354
senator_stevens at stevens_senate.gov
*Also on Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation
REPRESENTATIVE PHONE FAX EMAIL
Bud Shuster (R-PA)** 202-224-2431 202-224-2486 shuster at mail_house.gov
James L. Oberstar (DFL-MN)*** 202-224-6211 202-224-0699
oberstar at mail_house.gov
**Chairman - House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure.
***Ranking Minority Member - House Committee on Transportation &
Infrastructure
Contact PIJAC if you wish a complete list of all House and Senate
Committee
Members.
PIJAC National Office
Suite 400
1220 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-452-1525 or 800-553-7387
FAX: 202-293-4377
Robert Rice
All Men are equal until the point of exertion
http://www.nativefish.org