1996, T.C. Harris, ed.
The preface begins, "It is probable that every domesticated animal travels by road at least once in a lifetime." This well-established fact makes the Animal Transportation Association (AATA) manual an important resource to gaining a better understanding of what is required to ensure the well-being of an animal being moved from one location to another. There is, unfortunately, a scarcity of books, texts, or guides that include practical and essential factors that contribute to a safe and humane journey for animals in transit by road. Such factors are important to ensuring that the animal arrives at its destination having experienced minimal stress and weight loss and its well-being has not been compromised during the journey. This AATA manual is a most significant contribution to ensuring that those in the animal transport industry have a practical source of information on not only the regulations but the how-to and reasons for providing conditions ensuring that animals arrive safely at their destinations.
The manual contains information mainly related to road transportation of animals in the United Kingdom and European Community and there is no question that European shippers would be remiss and even delinquent in their responsibilities if they did not have this resource at their fingertips for daily use. It is also a good resource for everyone worldwide involved in the transportation of animals. It is particularly valuable for North American and other shippers engaged in the transatlantic shipment of animals. The manual is a ready reference listing all air, sea, and road entry points in Europe.
This AATA manual complements the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Live Animal Regulations (23d edition, effective October 1, 1996) because every animal that is transported by air has to be delivered and connected by road. It has its own style and flavor, providing practical and often essential information necessary for responsible handling of animals during road transport. Most chapters have information giving mandatory requirements for those shipping animals by road anywhere in the world.
The AATA manual contains many universally applicable features such as vehicle requirements, ventilation, safety, animal welfare and health, food and water, as well as stocking and loading densities. These cover not only livestock but also pets, laboratory species, and wild animals.
Tim Harris and his associates are to be commended for putting this living document together. They intend to upgrade and update it regularly to include all countries. Contributions to this process are solicited and will be carefully considered.
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The Animal Welfare Information Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
Phone: (301) 504-6212
FAX: (301) 504-7125
Contact us: http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/contact.php
