Attn all invert / spider keepers

[Duke]

Just received this in an email from TheGreenScorpion

http://www.thegreenscorpion.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4252

Australia Post crack down on critters in post .

Please don't sit on the fence as we as an invert community need your help and every bit of it

I have had several meetings with the Australian post security over the last week as I have been informed by them that the critters I am /and you are selling and you are venomous and if one escaped could be fatal to a delivery driver.

it states in the legislation that bees ,leaches and silk worms can be sent through oz post and that's all .

The person I am working with is wanting me to put a case forward to her in a bid to get the legislation changed and I need your help .

I would appreciate any ideas I could put forward and a letter from you guys supporting the change in legislation for example we don't keep or deal trade in dangerous species of animals that could harm any one working for Australia post .

this will work with your help


please post any ideas or your concerns .
email letters to [email protected]

or pm letters for help.

we have till thursday night

cheers

Greg Bylund

Just helping to put the word out

 

[falconboy]

I'm in 2 minds about this actually. I agree that if packed correctly and handled correctly, scorpions and tarantulas should be able to be shipped via Aus Post. I also have no doubt Greg packages safely. On the other hand, if I was a postie getting paid peanuts to deliver letters - I would not want to be put at risk of getting tagged by a scorpion or tarantula that some other bozo (from Petlink perhaps) hadn't packaged or labelled correctly.

I'm wondering if Greg has enquired with couriers - many of the larger couriers are mighty cheap using prepaid books of tickets, in many cases cheaper than parcel post. Surely one of them would accept well packed inverts?

 

[MrSpike]

A comment made by Steve Nunn on the AIF forum.

Dr Jamie Seymour at the Museum of Tropical Nth Qld, he is one of Australia's venom experts, well recongised and world reknowned. He is also one of the contributing authors on "Bites by Australian theraphosids on humans and canines" (see: Toxicon, 2002 from memory). You need support of folk like Jamie, who I am fairly certain can tell you, stating as fact, that no therphaosid bite confirmed in the world has either killed or caused serious injury, or has caused anaphylactic shock. The opposite is true for bees, perfect example of arthropod transport dangers right there
Cheers,
Steve

And here is a copy of the paper he is talking about.

http://www.thegreenscorpion.com.au/documents/toxicon paper on australian theraphosids.pdf

Seeing as there is little to no risk with transporting inverts through the post(in regards to bites and stings) I don't see the justification in the posties fear and why the posties would need have an issue with it. But regardless the phobia is there as it is with snakes, and we can't change that.

We are basically trying to establish a standard in which we can send inverts safely through the post with this. IMO a safe standard is being placed inside a Chinese container that is taped shut, inside a post box which is also taped shut, which is in an express post pack which are tightly sealed as it is there is basically no chance of an escapee.

 

[getarealdog]

Posting

Are postie's aware that venomous & non-venomous snakes are sent through the mail? No reason why the requirements for these cannot aply to inverts.

 

[Specks]

it would be a great shame if they changed it. think of the people that make a living from this. if these people dont want to get hurt then get to a different job that may not require these things.

 

[MrSpike]

Are postie's aware that venomous & non-venomous snakes are sent through the mail? No reason why the requirements for these cannot aply to inverts.

Reptiles are usually sent by Air freight, or road courier like ECPT. Not through the mail, not legally anyways.

Kane

 

[MrSpike]

A message posted on the AIF by Greg.

Thank you to every one who put the time in to write a letter and got behind this issue as we have had a huge win today with Australia Post.

The head of Australia post has read all the letters and scientific evidence we forward to them as well as demonstration of my packing procedures and they come back to me today with a go ahead .

Australian scorpions and tarantulas are fine to post to the appropriate states through out Australia using Australia post.
I will make up the standard for all to follow and submit it in the next AIF genal due out the end of the month .
A big win for the AIF and its members

cheers

Greg Bylund