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Virgin Atlantic calls for industry-wide ethical animal freight policy
VIRGIN Atlantic Cargo has applauded other airlines for banning the carriage of hunting trophies and says it is time for the industry to adopt a strict ethical cargo policy to define what is acceptable, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
"It's great to see other carriers adopting similar policies, but an industry-wide agreement that all airlines support would be a significant step forward in helping to prevent such shipments," said Virgin Atlantic vice president John Lloyd.
"As part of our ethical cargo policy adopted a number of years ago, we do not carry certain cargoes including hunting trophies, endangered species, shark fins and any animals for research purposes," he said.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo adopted its own ethical policy three years ago, and says an industry-wide agreement that all airlines would be duty-bound to implement would eliminate shipments such as hunting trophies and endangered species. It would also remove confusion and inconsistency from the market, Virgin said.
The airline believes the announcement in June by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and IATA to reduce illegal trade in wildlife and products that come from animals can now become the catalyst for this much-needed change.
CITES and IATA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a formal framework for their ongoing cooperation on the implementation of standards and best practices such as the IATA Live Animals Regulations, the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations, and the CITES Guidelines for the Non-Air Transport of Live Wild Animals and Plants.
They will also support joint training and communications activities to reduce illegal trade and ensure the safe transport of legally traded wildlife.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo's ethical cargo policy bans the carriage of cargoes such as hunting trophies, Bluefin tuna and shark fins. The airline also refuses to carry any animals for research purposes including primates and laboratory rats, as well as hatching eggs and day-old chicks, meat or products from Cetaceans, and furs and pelts.
"It's great to see other carriers adopting similar policies, but an industry-wide agreement that all airlines support would be a significant step forward in helping to prevent such shipments," said Virgin Atlantic vice president John Lloyd.
"As part of our ethical cargo policy adopted a number of years ago, we do not carry certain cargoes including hunting trophies, endangered species, shark fins and any animals for research purposes," he said.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo adopted its own ethical policy three years ago, and says an industry-wide agreement that all airlines would be duty-bound to implement would eliminate shipments such as hunting trophies and endangered species. It would also remove confusion and inconsistency from the market, Virgin said.
The airline believes the announcement in June by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and IATA to reduce illegal trade in wildlife and products that come from animals can now become the catalyst for this much-needed change.
CITES and IATA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a formal framework for their ongoing cooperation on the implementation of standards and best practices such as the IATA Live Animals Regulations, the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations, and the CITES Guidelines for the Non-Air Transport of Live Wild Animals and Plants.
They will also support joint training and communications activities to reduce illegal trade and ensure the safe transport of legally traded wildlife.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo's ethical cargo policy bans the carriage of cargoes such as hunting trophies, Bluefin tuna and shark fins. The airline also refuses to carry any animals for research purposes including primates and laboratory rats, as well as hatching eggs and day-old chicks, meat or products from Cetaceans, and furs and pelts.
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