Stop Making Airlines Carry Primates To Labs

Animal Welfare, Petitions — By Rachel Milani on January 30, 2012 9:33 am

Target: Canadian Transportation Agency

Goal: Revise guidelines and stop requiring Air Canada to ship primates to laboratories.

Air Canada is one of only two airlines in Northern America who will still ship primates to other destinations for the purpose of laboratory experimentation. The company has recently decided that they wish to stop this practice as it contributes to animal cruelty, both as part of the shipping process and in consideration of the fate of the primates they are carrying to end up in labs. Unfortunately, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) will not allow Air Canada to stop until their guidelines have been officially revised and so are requiring Air Canada to continue shipping the animals. Let’s ask the CTA to make a decision to change these guidelines and allow Air Canada to follow through with its choice to end a cruel practice.

According to pacificfreepress.com, Air Canada’s decision to stop shipping primates began last year following “… news that four dozen monkeys from breeding farms in China had been shipped to Quebec in cramped wooden crates”, which became publicly denounced. This international attention inspired the airline’s wish to change their policies to follow more humane guidelines. Animal cruelty is overlooked in the grand scheme of the world’s problems but this is a crucial step for animal activists as it works to solve two problems, both the uncomfortable travel for the animals and the experimentations they are being taken to. Support the positive decision that Air Canada has made; tell the Canadian Transportation Agency to respect it and change their guidelines.

PETITION LETTER

Dear Canadian Transportation Agency,

Air Canada has recently made the respectful decision to stop transporting primates to laboratories for the purpose of experimentation, yet they are unable to follow through until CTA guidelines are officially changed. This is unfair to the company’s decision and the primates in question. These animals are forced to travel in cramped conditions and are being sent off to an even worse fate in experimentation. Please make an official decision on this matter and change your guidelines to allow them to stop transporting primates to labs.

It is important to recognize that Air Canada has made a conscious decision that responds to concerns around the world about the humanity of the practice of primate shipping. This company deserves to follow through with alterations to their standards for humanity towards animals and NOT to be forced to continue a cruel operation against their wishes. CTA must realize the weight of their power in this situation and take responsibility.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]