Re: This is how many turtles are imported...horrible

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Posted by olaf pronk / Centre Soafiavy on September 14, 2000 at 04:54:01:

In Reply to: Re: This is how many turtles are imported...horrible posted by A. C. Highfield on September 14, 2000 at 01:50:00:

I personally believe that it would be a much greater step forward if authorities would actively enforce existing legislation and airlines would not accept live animals for transport if the shipment is not packed according to IATA instructions. After all, IATA live animal transport regulations are law in many countries, including the E.C. and U.S.A.

This would be much more effective than hoping that the trade would get its collective act together voluntarily.

B.T.W, I am happily surprised to learn that you are in favor of genuinely sustainable trade

Olaf Pronk
: Rather than deal with the specific cases described on the site, which are mostly well-known, I simply observe that yes, this kind of thing does indeed occur, and occur all too frequently. You only have spend time at any airport animal reception center to encounter situations like this. It is quite true that by no means all importers/shippers engage in malpractice - but while the reptile industry remains free of any effective self-regulation and enforcement, these incidents will continue to occur on a scale that is clearly far from being acceptable. What is needed is genuine, strong, effective and ENFORCED self-regulation by responsible elements within the trade. Not self regulation as a "cover up" (as so often is the case) but the setting up and enforcement of REALLY HIGH standards -not only of shipping, but also of in-store maintenance, and, hopefully, the encouragement of genuinely sustainable trade.

: If this is not achieved - then there should be no doubt. One day regulation will be enforced - and as is usually the case, such regulation will very likely prove counter-productive.

: The reptile trade needs to get its collective act together, before it is too late.

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Re: This is how many turtles are imported...horrible A. C. Highfield 09/15/00 (1)
- Re: This is how many turtles are imported...horrible olaf pronk / Centre Soafiavy 09/15/00 (0)

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: I personally believe that it would be a much greater step forward if authorities would actively enforce existing legislation and airlines would not accept live animals for transport if the shipment is not packed according to IATA instructions. After all, IATA live animal transport regulations are law in many countries, including the E.C. and U.S.A. : This would be much more effective than hoping that the trade would get its collective act together voluntarily. : B.T.W, I am happily surprised to learn that you are in favor of genuinely sustainable trade : Olaf Pronk : : Rather than deal with the specific cases described on the site, which are mostly well-known, I simply observe that yes, this kind of thing does indeed occur, and occur all too frequently. You only have spend time at any airport animal reception center to encounter situations like this. It is quite true that by no means all importers/shippers engage in malpractice - but while the reptile industry remains free of any effective self-regulation and enforcement, these incidents will continue to occur on a scale that is clearly far from being acceptable. What is needed is genuine, strong, effective and ENFORCED self-regulation by responsible elements within the trade. Not self regulation as a "cover up" (as so often is the case) but the setting up and enforcement of REALLY HIGH standards -not only of shipping, but also of in-store maintenance, and, hopefully, the encouragement of genuinely sustainable trade. : : If this is not achieved - then there should be no doubt. One day regulation will be enforced - and as is usually the case, such regulation will very likely prove counter-productive. : : The reptile trade needs to get its collective act together, before it is too late.

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