Ground Transportation Robert Fernandez Vice President, Direct Services, Inc. September 3, 2014
Overview Ground Transportation of Live Animals Within the United States Animal requirements Regulations Shipper s responsibilities Carrier s responsibilities Documentation Liability Ground transport carrier requirements and characteristics 2
Animal Transport Goals Animals arrive alive and healthy Maintain the biosecurity status On time arrival Meet regulatory requirements Safe for transport personnel 3
Understanding Your Animals In Transit 4
Live Animal Requirements Fresh air Proper temperature Food Water 5
Health or Biosecurity Status Conventional Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Infectious Your ability to maintain control of the health status includes the selection of mode, carrier and container design. 6
Infectious Live Animals Substances (animals) containing viable microorganisms or toxins which are known or suspected to cause permanent disability or life threatening or fatal disease in animals or humans. They are Hazardous Materials, Class 6, Division 6.2, Category A (49 CFR 173.134) Live animals may not be used to transport infectious substances unless such substances cannot be sent by any other means. An animal containing or contaminated with an infectious substance must be transported under terms and conditions approved by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. (49 CFR 173.196(c) ) 7
Transporting Animals Causes Stress Change of environment (noise) Change of diet Change of light cycles 8
Regulations Regulations are the law. Fines, penalties and potential loss of licenses for non compliance. They are minimum standards to follow. 9
Live Animal Regulatory Agencies USDA Animal Welfare Act IATA Live Animal Regulations DOT Hazardous Materials State Departments of Health/Fish and Wildlife 10
USDA Animal Welfare Act To ensure that animals intended for use in research facilities are provided humane care and treatment To ensure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce Regulated: Hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits Swine Canines Felines Non human primates Not regulated: Rats and mice 11
USDA Food & Water Requirements If animals are to be transported for a period of more than 6 hours, the animals shall have access to food and water or a type of food, which provides for food and water in quantity and quality sufficient to satisfy their food and water needs during transit. Food shall be offered at least every 24 hours Water shall be offered at least every 12 hours 12
USDA Transportation Standards Observations shall be at least every 4 hours Carriers shall not accept a shipment more than 4 hours prior to scheduled departure, but may extend to not more than 6 hours Shelter from: rain and snow direct sunlight cold weather 45 minute transfer period allowed for sunlight and cold weather 13
USDA & IATA Container Requirements Well constructed (Containers must be able to stand up to stacking) Adequately ventilated A size suitable for the species (size standards) Safe for the animals Must keep the animal inside at all times Clean, and if reused, disinfected (biosecurity concerns) Food and water must be available Labeling: Live Animals Directional arrows SPF containers: filters to prevent contaminant entry into the containers SPF labels Viewing window 14
USDA Transportation Standards The cargo space must be designed, constructed, and maintained in a manner that protects the health and well being of the animals transported in them, ensures their safety and comfort, and prevents the entry of engine exhaust from the primary conveyance during transportation 15
USDA Transportation Standards The animal cargo space must have a supply of air that is sufficient for the normal breathing of all the animals being transported in it The interior of the animal cargo space must be kept clean The air temperature around any live (animal) in any holding area shall not be allowed to fall below 45 F nor be allowed to exceed 85 F at any time. 16
USDA Required Disaster Planning USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires facilities and carriers to have a Disaster Plan Basic elements: What type of disaster should be expected Who does what in an emergency? What materials will be needed? Are they available? Communications Training in the plan is required Annual plan review 17
The Shipper is Responsible For compliance with the Animal Welfare Act For the health and welfare of the animals For planning the entire route (door to door) For any special care required (pregnant animals) To provide the details of the animals being shipped (type, number, gender of mammals) To obtain all documents and correct information (health certificates, permits) To provide suitable containers To provide food, water, and bedding during the entire transit and document same For contingency planning For the actions of their agents (carriers) in complying with the Animal Welfare Act 18
The Carrier is Responsible For compliance with the Animal Welfare Act For the health and welfare of the animals To know the transportation requirements of a shipment prior to acceptance To provide suitable transport arrangements To provide appropriate transport conveyances To verify all required documents are present To meet all regulatory requirements 19
Documentation Every shipment requires a shipping document: Describing the type and number of animals Stating the origin and destination (with contact information) Health certificate from a veterinarian Any required state permits For USDA regulated shipments: the appropriate RECORD OF ACQUISITION, DISPOSITION OR TRANSPORT 20
Liability Carriers are not liable for loss due to natural causes or the inherent nature of the shipment Loss is usually limited to a value less than the shipper s value Stated in the contract (tariff) Negotiated Not all carriers may have live cargo insurance Verify by reviewing the Certificate of Insurance 21
Transport Plan The transport plan must address: Temperature Fresh air Food and water Appropriate containers Segregation requirements Distance/Transit duration requirements Contingency planning Documentation 22
Ground Transport Characteristics More environmental control than air transport Temperature (smaller variation) Disinfection (cargo and holding areas sanitized before each use) Larger quantities can be shipped together Personnel trained for specific commodity Air has ground components (from and to the airport) Ground transport can be more expensive than air for smaller, long distance shipments 23
Ground Transport Characteristics No bumping (other animal shipments, pets, and human cadavers can take precedence in air transport) Not subject to temperature embargo Segregation of shipments (can transport on an exclusive use basis; without any other freight) 24
Ground Carrier Requirements Carriers must be registered with USDA for regulated animal carriage Subject to USDA inspections Interstate carriers must be registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Assigned a U.S. DOT number Insurance requirements Liability Cargo 25
Ground Carrier Requirements DOT safety regulations are administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Road safety checks (performed by state agencies) Safety Measurement System utilizes road safety inspections to target scrutiny towards poorer performing carriers (more road checks) Safety deficient carriers subject to rigorous audits Unsafe carriers are shut down SAFER scores are available at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov 26
Typical Ground Carrier Network Design Hub and spoke distributions system utilizing appropriately sized vehicles to provide coverage throughout the carrier s service area Line haul runs between hubs and plants Delivery runs from hubs and plants Hubs equipped with: Temperature controlled holding areas Temperature alarms Security systems Hot shot special delivery runs on demand Team operated runs across the country 27
Tractor and Temperature Controlled Trailer 28
Dual Refrigeration System Trailer Primary Temp-Control System Backup Temp-Control System 29
Dual Refrigeration System Truck Primary Unit Backup Unit 30
Sprinter Van 31
Sprinter Van - Interior 32
Properly Loaded Cartons Inside a Truck 33
Ground Carrier Temperature Control Equipment Utilizes commercially available refrigeration and air conditioning systems Widespread support and repair network While the quietest refrigeration systems are used, the refrigerated cargo area is not a quiet room Capable of tighter ranges than USDA required temperature range of 45 F to 85 F Humidity is generally maintained between 40 70% RH as a byproduct of maintaining temperature 34
Ground Carrier Temperature Control Equipment Emergency temperature control includes Redundant temperature control systems Auxiliary fans to increase air flow Emergency fresh air vents 35
Temperature Monitoring and Communications Equipment Temperature tracking systems In cab temperature displays and alarms Electronic temperature recording devices Radio temperature alarm pagers for drivers while away from their vehicle Remote temperature and GPS tracking devices capable of alerting central dispatch to exceptions Temperature Geo fencing (unauthorized location alarms) All drivers are provided with cell phones 36
Carrier Procedures and Practices Animal handling Feeding and watering Fresh air access Proper temperature Regulatory compliance Segregation practices to maintain biosecurity status Loading practices to safely and securely load shipments, while maintaining proper airflow 37
Carrier Procedures and Practices Disinfection practices to sanitize vehicles and holding areas between uses PPE practices to protect driver and shipment Security practices Shipping information security Trip documentation Manifest and Bill of Lading Animal handling records to record USDA requirements 38
Carrier Procedures and Practices Equipment familiarization Emergency procedures and strategies for: Temperature control failures Accidents Safe driving Recurring training in the form of: Classes on procedures, practices and forms On the job training 39
Personnel Are the Key Element Trained personnel Properly handle the animals Monitor environmental conditions React to emergency situations 40
Driver Requirements DOT regulated Drug and Alcohol screening (pre employment and recurring) Pre employment 10 year work history review Subject to Hours of Service regulations Maximum 70 hours per week Clock reset requires 34 consecutive hours, with at least two 1 5 a.m. rest periods Maximum on duty time 14 hours / Maximum of 11 hours driving Required 30 minute break during the first eight hours of a shift. TSA security threat assessment The industry faces a national driver shortage No touch driver jobs are becoming more prevalent in the industry, making our drivers all the more valuable 41
Summary An effective ground transport system for live animals will address: Animal requirements Regulations Documentation Disaster/Contingency planning 42
Sources Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Sections 2131 2159) Animal Welfare Regulations (9 C.F.R. Parts 1 4) IATA Live Animal Regulations (Effective 1 October 2013 31 December 2015, 40 th edition) Transportation (49 C.F.R. Parts 300 399) 43
Thank you Questions 44