WASHINGTON—Today, The Humane Society of the United States sent a letter to the Postmaster General of the United States to urge the Postal Service to no longer use commercial airlines to transport day-old birds through the mail. The national animal protection organization cited concerns about animal welfare and the risk of an avian flu outbreak as ample cause for the policy change.
Numerous companies make up the unregulated bird shipping industry that every year transports through the U.S. Mail millions of day-old birds, many by commercial airline. Murray McMurray Hatchery in Webster City, Iowa reportedly sends 100,000 baby birds, including turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens, every week to individuals nationwide. Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms in Cameron, Texas mails 4 million baby birds every year.
“In addition to humane concerns, we believe that the Postal Service should take into consideration how the widespread shipment of birds across the country may increase the risk of an avian influenza outbreak in the United States,” wrote Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. “Indeed, the essentially unregulated transport of million of baby birds is a significant and recognized risk factor in the spread of avian flu."
“In light of this threat, we urge the Postal Service to no longer use commercial airlines or carriers to transport day-old birds through the U.S. mail,” said Pacelle.
An avian flu outbreak may be especially dangerous if it occurred in the population of baby-birds mailed by commercial airline given the containment challenges that would arise. First, birds transported by airline travel great distances that would make it almost impossible to establish a “cull radius.” Such birds would also be likely transported half-way across the country before exhibiting symptoms.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture food and drug administrator Joe Reardon recently warned at a gathering of state and federal officials that “the U.S. Postal Service regulations governing the transport of live birds are inadequate and present great potential for contamination of the poultry industry.”
It has been reported to The HSUS that last year more birds arrived at their final destination dead than alive. “This shameful fact indicates the needless death and suffering of hundreds of thousands of animals and also tragically demonstrates why the Postal Service should not force the hand of airlines who do not want to be in the business of transporting baby birds,” wrote Pacelle.
The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization with 9.4 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through education, advocacy, litigation, investigation, legislation and fieldwork. The non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has regional offices across the country. On the web at
www.hsus.org.
