TITLE 9 - ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS

CHAPTER I - ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

SUBCHAPTER A - ANIMAL WELFARE

PART 3 - STANDARDS

subpart c - SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE HUMANE HANDLING, CARE, TREATMENT AND TRANSPORTATION OF RABBITS

3.62 - Primary conveyances (motor vehicle, rail, air, and marine).

  (a) The animal cargo space of primary conveyances used in transporting live rabbits shall be designed and constructed to protect the health, and ensure the safety and comfort of the rabbits contained therein at all times.

  (b) The animal cargo space shall be constructed and maintained in a manner to prevent the ingress of engine exhaust fumes and gases from the primary conveyance during transportation in commerce.

  (c) No live rabbit shall be placed in an animal cargo space that does not have a supply of air sufficient for normal breathing for each live animal contained therein, and the primary enclosures shall be positioned in the animal cargo space in such a manner that each rabbit has access to sufficient air for normal breathing.

  (d) Primary enclosures shall be positioned in the primary conveyance in such a manner that in an emergency the live rabbits can be removed from the primary conveyance as soon as possible.

  (e) The interior of the animal cargo space shall be kept clean.

  (f) Live rabbits shall not be transported with any material, substance (e.g., dry ice) or device which may reasonably be expected to be injurious to the health and well-being of the rabbits unless proper precaution is taken to prevent such injury.

  (g) The animal cargo space of primary conveyances used to transport rabbits shall be mechanically sound and provide fresh air by means of windows, doors, vents, or air conditioning so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation. Auxiliary ventilation, such as fans, blowers, or air conditioners, shall be used in any cargo space containing live rabbits when the ambient temperature in the animal cargo space is 75 F (23.9 C) or higher. The ambient temperature within the animal cargo space shall not exceed 85 F (29.5 C) or fall below 45 F (7.2 C), except that the ambient temperature in the cargo space may be below 45 F (7.2 C) if the rabbits are accompanied by a certificate of acclimation to lower temperatures, as provided in 3.60(c) of this part.

[42 FR 31565, June 21, 1977, as amended at 55 FR 28883, July 16, 1990]