Ethiopian Airline has denied allegations that it transported live animals in violation of national and international laws including International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations.
The latest accusations come from a wildlife advocacy group that has been campaigning against the airline on social media over its handling of wild animals while transporting them from one place to another.
In a statement it released on Monday, the airlines said it remains resolutely dedicated to upholding and adhering international statutes and regulations across all aspects of its operations. This commitment underscores its steadfast focus on safety, ethics, and responsibility throughout its operations.
“We have procedures in place to exercise due diligence to the best of our ability when scheduling consignments for shipments, ensuring that shippers must present in advance a copy of all required licenses and permits, including CITES (if required) as well as any import permits, and required health documentation. We utilise the IATA live animal checklist to ensure each step of the process is in compliance,” the airline said in a statement.
It said the Ethiopian Airlines is aware of recent social media campaigns regarding live animal transportation. We understand that the organisations behind these campaigns are wildlife advocacy NGOs dedicated to promoting animal welfare. “We believe that any advocacy efforts should be based on accurate information and should avoid making false or misleading claims,” it said.
It said the international treaties and national laws provide the framework for the international transportation of live animals. These regulations form a comprehensive structure designed to ensure the ethical and safe transit of live animals across borders.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) plays a pivotal role in regulating the transportation of live animals through its comprehensive Live Animals Regulations (LAR).
LAR establishes stringent standards and protocols that airlines must adhere to, encompassing various aspects such as animal welfare, handling procedures, documentation requirements, and appropriate container specifications.
“As an organisation deeply committed to maintaining legal and regulatory standards, Ethiopian Airlines diligently adheres to the established frameworks that govern all aspects of its operations, including the transportation of live animals across various categories. We recently engaged an independent expert to thoroughly review our end-to-end process, confirming our complete adherence to IATA LAR standards,’ said the airlines in a statement.
MG/as/APA