His email is amprather@fedex.com

Thank you.

Bud Wood, Chair
Bird Shippers of America

Gents,

It is that time of the year to start getting an idea from your member hatcheries of what volumes they are projecting for the 2008 Spring Peak for baby chicks. Last year, their forecasts allowed us to really plan out what we needed to do at are facilities in Memphis and Oakland.

Currently, we are running nearly double the Lives volume over what we did last year. So these forecasts are going to be even more important, because it is clear that the USPS is sending much more of their Live shipments via FedEx now.

So like last year, if you could send an email out to your members to send me their projections or what they shipped last year, we can start making our projections now. The earlier we get the information, the faster we can see if we need to make adjustments to the system prior to the start of Peak shipping.

Thanks,
Aaron Prather
Postal Transportation Management

2008 Federal Holidays

Tuesday, January 1 - New Year's Day

Monday, January 21 - Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, February 18 - Washington's Birthday

Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day

Friday, July 4 - Independence Day

Monday, September 1 - Labor Day

Monday, October 13 - Columbus Day

Tuesday, November 11 - Veterans Day

Thursday, November 27 - Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day

For those of you mailing through the winter, they will not be sorting 12/24/2007, 12/25/2007, 12/31/2007 and 1/1/2008.

Bud Wood, Chair
Bird Shippers of America

Wanted to make sure you and your members are clear on the upcoming July 4th holiday operational schedule.

7/2 Monday - we will be accepted Express mail shipments that evening for Tuesday morning delivery.
7/3 Tuesday - no acceptance of Lives for either the Priority network or Express network.
7/4 Wednesday - closed
7/5 Thursday - resume normal operations.

I believe that there was some confusion between USPS and FedEx over 7/5 because of how their own procedures were written.

On the morning of 7/5, if we are brought Live Animals, we are going to move them that day.

Aaron Prather
Postal Transportation Management

We have gotten a ruling from the D.C. office of the USPS that Chick boxes with their slanted sides and posts on the top would be included in the "1.4.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels" rate calculations. We have also received a clarification that each measurement of the box can be rounded down if it is under a half inch, otherwise round up to the nearest inch. The resulting weight in pounds must be rounded up to the nearest pound.

EXAMPLE: A box with an actual dimension of 24 1/4 Length X 18 1/4 Width X 7 3/8 Height.
((24 X 18 X 7)X0.785)/194 = 12.236 Lbs or rounded up to 13 Lbs.

You must put postage on the box based on this Dimensional Weight or Actual Weight which ever is larger.

If you have any question please contact your local postmaster.

Bud Wood, Chair Birdshippers of America

From the USPS Domestic Mail Manual - May 14, 2007

1.4 Dimensional Weight Rate for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 5-8
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 5-8 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.4.1 or 1.4.2), whichever is greater.

1.4.1 Determining Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:

a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.

b. Multiply the length by the width by the height.

c. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 194 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.

1.4.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:

a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.

b. Multiply the length by the width by the height.

c. Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.

d. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 194 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.

e. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the parcel pays the 70-pound rate.

DMM Advisory

New Standards for Mailing Adult Fowl

We published a notice in today's Federal Register requiring mailers to package adult chickens in USPS-approved mailing containers. This change makes our packaging requirements consistent for all mailed fowl and promotes the safety of our employees, customers, and fowl.

Click here to read the complete change as published in the Federal Refister.

I think it is good to remember, that in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Detroit, Northwest is only one option. These markets are also served by other airlines and Federal Express. The postal airmail personal at these two airports have the option to use any of the carriers as volume and schedules allow.

Bud Wood, Chair

Jan. 15 - Not observed by FedEx

Feb. 19 - Not observed by FedEx

May 28 - FedEx Reopens May 29

July 4 - FedEx Reopens July 5th. That July 4th is on a Wednesday this year, any animal that is tendered to the Post Office as Priority on Monday, July 2nd will not be delivered until July 5th. Animals tendered on Monday as Express, should be delivered on Tuesday July 3rd.

Sept. 3 - FedEx Reopens Sept. 4

Oct. 8 - Not observed by FedEx

Nov. 12 - Not observed by FedEx

Nov. 22 - FedEx Reopens Nov. 23

Dec. 25 - FedEx Reopens Dec. 26

We received the following updates on Federal Express "Lives" service through the Post Office.

Because we have temperatures below 85 degrees now, the restrictions for the following areas have been lifted;
Birmingham AL (BHM) Zip Codes: 350-352, 354-359, 362
Jackson MS (JAN) Zip Codes: 369, 390-393, 396, 397
Nashville TN (BNA Zip Codes: 370-372, 384, 385

Federal Express will be shut down and will not accept "Lives" on the following holidays;

Christmas: December 24, 2006 through December 26, 2006
FedEx will have their last sort on 12/24 prior and will not be back up and running until the evening of 12/26. First Priority mail sort will be 12/27. To make sure all animals are delivered in a timely manner, they should ship by 12/20.

New Years: December 31, 2006 through January 2, 2007
FedEx will have their last sort on 12/31 prior and will not be back up and running until the evening of 1/2. First Priority mail sort will be on 1/3. To make sure all animals are delivered in a timely manner, they should ship by 12/27

The Oakland, CA hub is now setup to receive and sort "Lives".

Bud Wood, Chair

On Monday, November 6th, I announced my intention to resign from the Postal Service after 31 years. My resignation is effective November 25th. Greg Garcia will assume the duties of Manager, Commercial Air Operations (Acting). Joel Rosen will continue to be your point of contact for all lives issues.

I believe I'm leaving the lives environment in better shape than when I assumed this position 4 years ago. I hope you all agree. It was frustrating, and at times discouraging trying to put together a network that would support you and your customers needs. With the addition of FedEx & UPS, the commercial carriers, as well as Northwest Airlines, I believe we have ample lift to ensure a successful mailing season next year. But as you are well aware, even with all this lift we may still have holes. Your constant communication proved invaluable - please continue to communicate with Joel as often as necessary.

Thanks again for the patience you displayed in the past.

John C. Bonafilia
Manager, Commercial Air Operations
Washington, DC 20260-7137

Mr. Bonafilia was of great service to our industry in the trying times of the last few years. He was instrumental in getting Northwest Airlines back on line, allowing chicken to "fly" again after 911, setting up Kittyhawk to cover gaps left by other airlines, and negotiating "lives" on Federal express, to name a few. On behalf of all of the Bird Shippers I would like to say thank-you to Mr. Bonafilia for all of his help.

Bud Wood, Chair

Things have gone smoothly for FedEx the first four weeks of shipping. All transfers are being made in Memphis. If demand requires it, transfers may also be made in Indianapolis and Oakland when shipping of lives picks up in the spring.

At this point they are getting more Express mail than expected. They are hoping that most of the shipments will be priority which will be transferred in Memphis during the slower part of the day.

The only locations where there will be temperature restrictions are shipments to and from Birmingham, AL or Jackson, MS or Nashville, TN. As these routes are trucked from the sorting facility in Memphis, they cannot accept birds for shipment to or from these locations if temperatures are expected to be over 85 degrees.

FedEx will only accept birds from the USPS on Monday through Friday evenings. So you cannot expect FedEx to carry your shipments if you mail on Saturday or Sunday.

You will need to check the FedEx 2007 holiday schedule when it is announced. July 4, for example, is a Wednesday in 2007. They will not be working that day so if you mail on Tuesday, delivery will be delayed.

Effective with mail acceptance on Monday, October 23, FedEx will begin transporting lives as Priority or Express Mail on the entire day and night network, with exceptions listed below.

Airport           | Express to | Express from | Priority to | Priority from |
St. Louis, MO     |     x      |      x       |      x      |      x        |
Springfield, MO   |            |              |      x      |      x        |
Charleston, WV    |            |              |      x      |               |
Bango, ME         |     x      |      x       |             |               |
Presque Isle, ME  |     x      |      x       |             |               |
Elmirea, NY       |     x      |      x       |             |               |
Chattanooga, TN   |     x      |      x       |             |               |
Traverse City, MI |     x      |      x       |             |               |
Huntsville, AL    |     x      |              |             |               |
Bismarck, ND      |            |      x       |             |               |
Bozeman, MT       |            |      x       |             |               |
Cumberland, MD    |            |      x       |             |               |
Durango, CO       |            |      x       |             |               |
Eugene, OR        |            |      x       |             |               |
Fairbanks, AK     |            |      x       |             |               |
Kalispell, MT     |            |      x       |             |               |
Medford, OR       |            |      x       |             |               |
Minot, ND         |            |      x       |             |               |
Missoula, MT      |            |      x       |             |               |
Pasco, WA         |            |      x       |             |               |
Pocatello, ID     |            |      x       |             |               |
Rapid City, SD    |            |      x       |             |               |
Redmond, OR       |            |      x       |             |               |
Rock Springs, WY  |            |      x       |             |               |
Salisbury, MD     |            |      x       |             |               |
Twin Falls, ID    |            |      x       |             |               |
Wenatchee, WA     |            |      x       |             |               |
Yakima, WA        |            |      x       |             |               |

Priority Originating and Destinating Exceptions
St. Louis MO (STL Zip Codes: 620, 622-631, 633-639
Springfield MO (SGF) Zip Codes: 648, 654-658


Destinations for which there is NO Friday Priority Retail acceptance
Shreveport LA (SHV) Zip Codes: 710-714
Oklahoma City OK (OKC) Zip Codes: 730, 731, 734-738, 748
Tulsa OK (TUL) Zip Codes: 740, 741, 743-747, 749
Houston TX (IAH) Zip Codes: 773-778


No Priority lives on FedEx to and from these locations if the forecast daytime temperature
for the route between those cities and Memphis TN (MEM) is 85 degrees F or higher.
Birmingham AL (BHM) Zip Codes: 350-352, 354-359, 362
Jackson MS (JAN) Zip Codes: 369, 390-393, 396, 397
Nashville TN (BNA Zip Codes: 370-372, 384, 385


Lives may not be transported on FedEx as Priority mail to (destinating in)
delivery locations served by the following airports.
Charleston WV (CRW) Zip Codes: 246-253, 258, 259, 261, 266

Lives may not be transported on FedEx as Express mail to (destinating in)
or from (originating in) locations served by the following airports.
Bangor ME (BGR) Zip Codes: 044, 046
Presque Isle ME (PQI) Zip Codes: 047
Elmira NY (ELM) Zip Codes: 148-149
Chattanooga TN (CHA) Zip Codes: 373-374
Traverse City MI (TVC) Zip Codes: 496

Fedex will not accept Express Lives going to:
Huntsville AL (HSV) Zip Codes: 356-358
St. Louis MO (STL) Zip Codes: 620, 622-624, 628-631, 633,
634, 636-639, 650-653

Lives may not be transported on FedEx as Express mail from (orig\inating in)
locations served by the following airports.
Bismarck ND (BIS)
Bozeman MT (BZN)
Cumberland MD (CBE)
Durango CO (DRO)
Eugene OR (EUG)
Fairbanks AK (FAI)
Kalispell MT (FCA)
Medford OR (MFR)
Minot ND (MOT)
Missoula MT (MSO)
Pasco WA (PSC)
Pocatello ID (PIH)
Rapid City SD (RAP)
Redmond OR (RDM)
Rock Springs WY (RKS)
Salisbury MD (SBY)
St. Louis MO (STL)
Twin Falls ID (TWF)
Wenatchee WA (EAT)
Yakima WA (YKM)

At the present time the Post Office will only have Federal Express transport "LIVES" to and from the USPS AMFs listed below. As Federal Express gains more experience, other AMFs will be added to the routs. The full Priority Mail Network effective date has yet to be determined. Commercial airlines are still carrying lives.

BSA is still working to put the temperature guidelines in place by regulation or legislation. BSA is also investigating the problems that shippers have experienced with insurance. We will keep you posted on our progress.

USPS AMF ACCEPTING "LIVES" FOR TRANSPORTATION BY FEDERAL EXPRESS
Atlanta GA (ATL)
Austin TX (AUS)
Baltimore MD (BWI)
Boston MA (BOS)
Buffalo NY (BUF)
Charlotte NC (CLT)
Cincinnati OH (CVG)
Cleveland OH (CLE)
Columbus OH (CMH)
Denver CO (DEN)
El Paso TX (ELP)
Hartford CT (BDL)
Jacksonville FL (JAX)
Kansas City MO (MCI)
Los Angeles CA (LAX) (To include Express Lives from Burbank CA (BUR))
Louisville KY (SDF)
Memphis TN (MEM)
Milwaukee WI (MKE) (To include Express Lives from Madison WI (MSN))
Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) (To include Express Lives from Rochester MN (RST))
Nashville TN (BNA)
Norfolk VA (ORF)
Oakland CA (OAK)
Omaha NE (OMA)
Ontario CA (ONT)
Orlando FL (MCO)
Philadelphia PA (PHL)
Phoenix AZ (PHX)
Pittsburgh PA (PIT)
Portland OR (PDX)
Richmond VA (RIC)
Salt Lake City (SLC)
San Diego CA (SAN)
San Francisco CA (SFO)
Seattle WA (SEA)
Sioux Falls SD (FSD)
Tulsa OK (TUL)

PRIORITY ORIGINATING AND DESTINATING EXCEPTIONS
St. Louis MO (STL) Zip Codes (620, 622-631, 633-639)
Springfield MO (SGF) Zip Codes (648, 654-658)

DESTINATIONS FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FRIDAY PRIORITY RETAIL ACCEPTANCE
Shreveport LA (SHV) Zip Codes (710-714)
Oklahoma City OK (OKC) Zip Codes (730, 731, 734-738, 748)
Tulsa OK (TUL) Zip Codes (740, 741, 743-747, 749)
Houston TX (IAH) Zip Codes (773-778)

AREA WHERE NO PRIORITY LIVES WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES F.
No Priority lives on FedEx to and from these locations if the forecast daytime temperature for the route between those cities and Memphis TN (MEM) is 85 degrees F or higher. These are truck routs over four hours in duration.
Birmingham AL (BHM) Zip Codes (350-352, 354-359, 362)
Jackson MS (JAN) Zip Codes (369, 390-393, 396, 397)
Nashville TN (BNA) Zip Codes (370-372, 384, 385)

LIVES EXCEPTION LIST
Lives may not be transported on FedEx as Priority mail to (destinating in) delivery locations served by the following airports.
Charleston WV (CRW) Zip Codes (246-253, 258, 259, 261, 266)

Lives may not be transported on FedEx as Express mail to (destinating in)
or from (originating in) locations served by the following airports.

Bangor ME (BGR) Zip Codes (044, 046)
Presque Isle ME (PQI) Zip Codes (047)
Elmira NY (ELM) Zip Codes (148-149)
Chattanooga TN (CHA) Zip Codes (373-374)
Traverse City MI (TVC) Zip Codes (496)

Fedex will not accept Express Lives going to these destination.
Huntsville AL (HSV) Zip Codes (356-358)
St. Louis MO (STL) Zip Codes (620, 622-624, 628-631, 633, 634, 636-639, 650-653

EXPRESS ORIGINATING AND DESTINATING EXCEPTIONS
Lives may not be transported on FedEx as Express mail from (orig\inating in) locations served by the following airports.
Bismarck ND (BIS)
Bozeman MT (BZN)
Cumberland MD (CBE)
Durango CO (DRO)
Eugene OR (EUG)
Fairbanks AK (FAI)
Kalispell MT (FCA)
Medford OR (MFR)
Minot ND (MOT)
Missoula MT (MSO)
Pasco WA (PSC)
Pocatello ID (PIH)
Rapid City SD (RAP)
Redmond OR (RDM)
Rock Springs WY (RKS)
Salisbury MD (SBY)
St. Louis MO (STL)
Twin Falls ID (TWF)
Wenatchee WA (EAT)
Yakima WA (YKM)

BIRD SHIPPERS OF AMERICA
PO BOX 458
WEBSTER CITY, IA 50595
March 20, 2006

Paul E. Vogel, Vice President
Network Operations Management
United States Postal Service
476 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Room 7011
Washington, DC 20260-6251

Dear Paul:

The Bird Shippers of America appreciate the efforts the USPS in addressing the problems bird shippers have been experiencing in the recent past. Therefore, we appreciated receiving a copy of the March 6, 2006 communication to Vice Presidents, Area Operations Manager, and Capital Metro Operations of the United States Postal Service (USPS) on the Acceptance of Lives.

Unfortunately, we have some major concerns with the substance of the letter in three areas.

Firstly, the suggested procedure permitting the District Managers to establish local procedures and acceptance-point guidelines to be followed by the District Expedited Services Office (ESO) within each District will, we believe, unavoidably create a variety of different policies and procedures which cannot help but result in inconsistency and, therefore, uncertainty for the shippers and customers. We believe a uniform policy for the entire country is warranted and would result in a far more efficient system.

Secondly, as far as contacting the ESO when there is to be a mailing, many times the ordering process does not permit timely notice. For example, one of our members recently had 800 orders in one week 300 of which were booked between Monday and Wednesday. Timely notification cannot always be done.

The third area of concern is the four (4) hour limitation on surface transportation. We have shippers in southern California who will not be able to ship to northern California, Washington or Oregon. One shipper in the southwest cannot even reach postal distribution centers in Albuquerque or Dallas in four (4) hours. Another shipper in Texas cannot reach customers in Oklahoma, Louisiana, south and north Texas, Tennessee, lower Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and the panhandle of Florida by air and has to rely on surface transportation that results in trips that are longer that a four (4) hours.

Immediately after the 9/11tragedy, bird shippers had to use all surface transportation for deliveries throughout the country in trips exceeding four (4) ours and had no problems. In sum, if this limitation is imposed, it will be economically devastating to many, many bird shippers throughout the country. We feel that the limitation is unrealistic and arbitrary; especially when a policy of no time limitation has been successful for many years.

It is interesting that one of the USPS Area Managers encouraged one of the bird shippers to take more bird shipments by surface transportation resulting in trips that were far longer than four (4) hours. The suggestion was followed with no resulting problems

We sincerely hope you will consider our concerns and would be most willing to discuss these matters with you or your staff. If we can answer any questions regarding the above comments, we trust you will contact us. Again, the industry appreciates your efforts on our behalf.

Sincerely,
Murray McMurray
Chairman

The following is a summary of the legislation Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced in the U.S. Senate on Friday, March 10th. The three points Senator Grassley makes, as well as information regarding avian influenza (Bird Flu), are extremely important to the continued success of shipping live poultry through the U.S. Postal System.

We need your help, and the help of your friends, to make this proposal - law. For your convenience we have set up a webpage We need your help. Write your Senator today. where you can print a custom letter to be Mailed or Faxed to each of your Senators. If you feel strongly about your right to receive birds through the mail, or your business or hobby would endure severe hardships if you could not receive birds, please take the time to submit your letter. All of us in the bird shipping business greatly appreciate your help in this most important issue.

Thank you.

Murray McMurray, Chairman
Bird Shippers of America

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE U.S. CONGRESS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS IN SHIPPING BIRDS BY AIR MAIL - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

On March 9, 2006, Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced S. 2395 that specifically addresses three major problems that face bird shippers that transport birds by mail:
1. Mandating that any air carrier that has a contract to ship mail must carry poultry as mail unless it commonly and regularly refuses to carry any animals as cargo.

This provision specifically refers to Federal Express (FedEx) that took over the Eagle Service previously run by the United States Postal Service (USPS). In a response to a letter from the USPS that FedEx must take birds as mail, FedEx took the legal position that it was not covered by the previous passed statute mandating the carrying of birds by mail because the statute states, inter alia, that “the Postal Service may require any air carrier to accept as mail shipments of day-old poultry and such other live animals as postal regulations allow to be transmitted as mail matter. The authority of the Postal Service under this subparagraph shall not apply in the case of any air carrier who commonly and regularly refuses to accept any live animals as cargo. [Emphasis added]. 39 USC § 5402(d)(2)(A). FedEx maintains that it "commonly and regularly" refuses "accept any live animals as cargo." Id. Factually, this is not true as FedEx does carry all types of animals except dogs, cats and bees. Consequently, the provisions states that if the air carrier transport any animals by cargo, it must take birds by air mail.
2. Mandating that air carries will guarantee delivery of mail form point of origin to final destination.

This provision addresses the problem where Delta Airlines unilaterally announced to the USPS that it would not longer take transfers of lives. You could ship from A to B but not from A to B to C. It has been reported that some other air carriers have taken a similar position on certain routes. If the air carrier has a mail contract, this provision guarantees delivery.
3. Mandating that air carriers shall accept and carry birds as air mail when the outside temperature is between 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.77 degrees Celsius) and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.77 degrees Celsius) from point of origin through the point of destination.

In the past, airlines have notified the USPS that they will not carry lives when the temperature reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Although the industry and the Department of Agriculture have informed the airlines and the USPS that that standard should not apply to day old chicks, USPS and the airlines ignore the science based conclusions and continue to rely on guidelines set under the Animal Welfare Act for dogs and cats: "The ambient temperature...must not rise above 85 deg. F. (29.5 deg. C) for more than 4 consecutive hours when dogs and cats are present." [Emphasis added]. 9 CFR § 3.2 (a). This standard is inappropriate for several legal, scientific and practical reasons.
Firstly, "poultry" is exempt for the Animal Welfare Act and the regulations there under. 7 USC § 2132(g); 9 CFR § 1.1.
Secondly, the regulation has time restrictions that, in practice, would not apply to the shipment of day-old chicks in that shippers deliver the shipments in a manner for timely air transport so there will not be extended delay before scheduled airplane departures and arrangements are made for immediate pick-up at the delivery point.
Thirdly, is the scientific consideration that the 85 degree F is an inappropriate temperature level to deny shipment of day-old chicks in that the chicks are hatched in 95 to 100 degrees F and should be kept at 95-100 degree F for up to one week of age, gradually reducing it each week. Consequently, 85 degrees F and above is not harmful to the health and safety of day day-old chicks in air transit. At the lower end of the temperature, experience in the industry indicates that shipments of day-old chicks does not result in mortality if timely delivered.
One other issue has been raised regarding shipments of poultry - the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. In a letter dated November 21, 2005, Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), wrote Postmaster General John E. Potter citing "long-standing concerns" of the practice of the air mail of birds because of the "sever humane implications for millions of birds mailed across the county every year." Pacelle also stated that the shipping of day-old chicks currently "warranted attention on the possibility of a worldwide pandemic related to avian influenza."
Citing the discretionary aspect of legislation previously passed by the Congress that mandates air carriers to accept live animals as mail if the carrier, Pacelle urged the USPS to immediately rescind its current policy of requiring airlines to accept live day-old chicks for shipment. 39 USC § 5402(e)(2)(A). BSA under took research on the matter and obtained opinions from various avian health pathologists and veterinarians that, to date, there is not sufficient data to cause any drastic action resulting in a ban of interstate commerce in shipping day-old birds. More significantly, however, there is no scientific evidence any where in the world to indicate that day-old birds have been a carrier of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. Senator Grassley addressed that issue, as well as the other points discussed above, in his statement on the Floor of the Senate when he introduced S. 2395:

Mr. President I rise to introduce legislation that would address the concerns related to the shipping of live birds through the United States Postal Service. I introduced a similar bill during the 107th Congress with bi-partisan support. It was included in Public Law 107-67. This bill should close some loopholes that some of the airlines are using to avoid the timely shipping of day-old baby chicks.
Some members of the airline industry stated that they commonly and regularly refuse to transport shipments of some species of live animals for its regularly scheduled cargo service and, therefore, can refuse to carry any live animals by mail under existing law. My bill will make the law apply to "any air carrier that commonly and regularly carries any live animals as cargo," thus making sure that if the air carrier does ship any live animals as cargo, it will be required to ship animals as mail.
There have been accusations that the shipping of day-old poultry could spread avian influenza. I have received information from Avian Health Veterinarians and they have informed me that avian influenza is not an egg transmitted disease. There are no reports of day-old poultry from infected breeders being infected with avian influenza when they hatch.
Poultry health specialists have been examining the vertical transmission, or parents-to-chicks via the egg of avian influenza, for more than 30 years. Studies looking at the avian influenza have consistently failed to reveal evidence of avian influenza virus infections in newly hatched chicks from infected parent flocks.
This clearly shows that day-old poultry are not likely to be naturally infected. So the risk of transmitting avian influenza through shipment of day-old poultry is not an issue.
This bill would also address two other problems that have caused an adverse economic impact to bird shippers. First, the bill requires air carriers
that take poultry as mail, to transfer such shipments so that the shipper is guaranteed that the shipment will reach its ultimate destination.
Second, it requires an air carrier to take shipments of poultry as air mail when the outside temperature is between 0 degrees Fahrenheit -17 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.77 degrees Celsius from point of origin of the shipment through the point of destination. These temperature parameters are accepted by avian veterinarians as safe and humane.

************************

Although the U. S. Constitution and federal statutes enacted by the Congress mandate and guarantee that postal patrons receive "prompt, reliable and efficient" postal service "to all communities," this is certainly not been the recent experience of the postal patrons within the poultry and game bird industry. S. 2395 can correct that situation. However, there is no doubt that this legislation will be vigorously opposed by the air carriers as well as the animal rights organizations. Therefore, it is imperative that members of the bird shipping industry - producers and customers - write their respective Senators urging, not only their support of S. 2395, but request them to co-sponsor the bill. Only through a vigorous grass-roots effort can we be successful.
Following is a suggested letter, however, use your own words and give examples of the problems your particular business has encountered as a result of postal and airline policies. Feel free to use any of the above information in your correspondence. If you can visit the Senator's District office in your state and speak to a member of the Senator's staff, so much the better.
Your contact is important and, since you are a constituent of your Senator, your opinion will be considered.