The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new standardized global certification program to improve the safety and welfare of animals travelling by air. The Center of Excellence for Independent Validators for Live Animals Logistics (CEIV Live Animals) provides stakeholders across the air cargo supply chain with the assurance that CEIV Live Animals certified companies are operating to the highest standards in the transport of live animals.

"Last year millions of animals travelled safely and securely by air. Animal owners and shippers rely heavily on airlines to carry their precious cargo. As an industry, we have a duty of care to ensure that standards and best practices are in place around the world to protect the welfare of these animals. For those shipping live animals the CEIV Live Animals program will provide a reliable quality benchmark. Just as CEIV Pharma helped provide quality standards for temperature sensitive healthcare shipments, the new program extends that expertise to the important field of transporting and handling of animals," says Nick Careen IATA's Senior Vice President of Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security.

Handling and transporting live animals is challenging. Each type of animal has its specific requirements-not limited to the physical. It is critical to take into consideration the emotional response of the animals when placed in a special-purpose, if unfamiliar, environment by trained professionals.

These were prerequisites for the development of the CEIV Live Animals program which is based on the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), the worldwide standard for transporting animals by air. The IATA LAR are based on professional and operational input from industry experts, including veterinarians, animal welfare experts as well as government agencies involved in the regulation of animal transportation and non-governmental organizations with an interest in animal transportation.

The CEIV Live Animals program increases the level of competency, operations, quality management and professionalism in the handling and transportation of live animals in the air freight industry while reinforcing training and compliance across the supply chain. Independent validators conduct training and onsite audits to ensure the animals' safety and welfare when travelling by air across the world.

Understanding the complex needs of stakeholders involved in the handling and transportation of animals by air was also key in developing the program. The City of London's Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) and Air Canada Cargo played a key role in helping to pilot the CEIV Live Animal program.

Robert Quest, Assistant Director, Port Health and Public Protection, HARC says, "Last year some 16,000 dogs and cats, 400 horses, 200,000 reptiles, 2,000 birds and 28 million fish travelled through HARC. Ensuring the safety and welfare of these animals is our main priority. So partnering with IATA to develop the CEIV Live Animals program was important to us. We look forward to continuing to work closely with IATA to further enhance the program and support its worldwide adoption by companies across the supply chain in the pursuit of operational excellence in the handling and transport of live animals by air."

Air Canada Cargo, Vice President Tim Strauss says, "Whether it is a family relocating with their pet, a flock of sheep relocating overseas or zoo animals travelling to support conservation efforts, transporting animals by air is a complex and highly planned operation. Ensuring that animals travel in safe, healthy and humane conditions requires coordination across the supply chain. Air Canada Cargo is delighted to be part of the CEIV Live Animals program."

CEIV Live Animals also focuses on the importance to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) requirements including the CITES Guidelines for the Non-Air Transport of Live Wild Animals and Plants available in the LAR. CITES is the legally-binding agreement with 183 Parties (182 States and the EU), regulating international trade in more than 36,000 species of animals and plants.

"Worldwide international standards and regulations govern the safety and welfare of animals being transport by air. The CEIV Live Animals program helps to ensure that any legitimately traded wildlife adheres to the IATA standards and CITES requirements and we welcome its development. It is through industry working cooperatively together that can we can most effectively implement these agreed standards and requirements, and also identify and tackle illegal trade in wildlife" says John E Scanlon, the Secretary General of CITES.