HR7371-119

What This Bill Does

The No Flight, No Fight Act responds to aviation-safety, biosecurity, and cockfighting concerns by prohibiting air carriers and aircraft operators in interstate or foreign air transportation from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo. The bill preserves an exemption when the shipment originates from or is destined for a commercial farm and is for legitimate agricultural purposes. Claimants must give the air carrier commercial-farm documentation, including financial records or attestations consistent with USDA Economic Research Service guidelines, and air carriers may not accept adult roosters without certification. The Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration enforce the restriction with civil penalties, while states may keep stricter live-animal air-transport rules.

Who Benefits and How

The Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, air cargo operators, and airline crews benefit from fewer adult-rooster cargo shipments that could create safety, biosecurity, or operational problems. Commercial poultry farms with at least $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income retain a documented path to ship adult roosters for legitimate agricultural purposes. State aviation safety regulators and animal-welfare enforcement agencies benefit because the bill preserves stricter state protections.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Air carriers must screen adult-rooster cargo, collect commercial-farm certifications, and refuse uncertified shipments. Noncommercial poultry shippers and cockfighting organizers lose access to air cargo channels. The Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration must enforce the ban and civil penalties. Commercial poultry farms must produce documentation before shipment, and the USDA Economic Research Service classification becomes part of the certification standard.

Key Provisions

• Bars air carriers and other aircraft operators from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo in interstate or foreign air transportation.
• Creates an exemption for documented commercial-farm shipments conducted for legitimate agricultural purposes.
• Requires shipment certification using commercial-farm documentation consistent with USDA Economic Research Service guidelines.
• Authorizes the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to enforce civil penalties while preserving stricter state live-animal air-transport laws.