Call for industry-wide ethical airline cargo policy

Virgin Atlantic Cargo has called on the airline cargo industry to adopt a strict ethical cargo policy to clearly identify shipments not acceptable for carriage.

It says an industry-wide agreement that all airlines would be duty-bound to implement would eliminate shipments such as hunting trophies and endangered species. It would also remove confusion and inconsistency from the market, Virgin says.

The airline believes the announcement in June by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Iata to reduce illegal trade in wildlife and products that come from animals can now become the catalyst for this much-needed change.

CITES and Iata have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a formal framework for their ongoing cooperation on the implementation of standards and best practices such as the Iata Live Animals Regulations, the Iata Perishable Cargo Regulations, and the CITES Guidelines for the Non-Air Transport of Live Wild Animals and Plants. They will also support joint training and communications activities to reduce illegal trade and ensure the safe transport of legally traded wildlife.