URGENT: Proposed Bill HR669

[jknut]

This is of EXTREME importance to the pet industry that this proposed bill does NOT pass. I did not see a post about this here, and I know that right away this bill was thought to be only a threat to the reptile industry, but as the details have come out this is not the case. HR669 proposes a BAN on ALL non-native US wildlife, this INCLUDES fish. This means it would be ILLEGAL to own, reproduce, or travel across state lines with non-native wildlife including fish. We need to act now!!

Here are some links from PIJAC about the bill and what we can do to stop it in its tracks.

Here is the full text of the proposed bill:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h669ih.txt.pdf


Information on how you can help:
http://www.pijac.org/files/public/US_HR_669.pdf
http://www.pijac.org/files/public/669_Short_W_Comm.pdf

Contact your representatives, this can be easily completed through this website:
http://nohr669.com/

I just thought that I should make this known to this online community. We need to send letters, emails, and phone calls before April 23rd when the house sub-committee is meeting.

Don't let them ban our hobbies and pets. Do your part!

Jason Knudson

[SoK]

sent

[YeeHawReefer]

Well, I see why they want to implement this. Lion Fish are taking over the Keys right now. I know there is no way to direct it towards irresponsible animal keepers that let their pets go when they are too big, or when they cant take care of them. Thats the problem....not the responsible ones.

ps-Did this need to be posted 8 different times, its all the same forum.....

[jknut]

Originally Posted by YeeHawReefer

Well, I see why they want to implement this. Lion Fish are taking over the Keys right now. I know there is no way to direct it towards irresponsible animal keepers that let their pets go when they are too big, or when they cant take care of them. Thats the problem....not the responsible ones.

ps-Did this need to be posted 8 different times, its all the same forum.....

The more eyes it sees the better. Do you as a responsible keeper want to be punished with blanket legistlation because of some irresponsible individuals. This proposal has NO scientific basis.

[YeeHawReefer]

since that link has its digital cert. expired, and it said it could possibly be modified, Im not gonna eat whats being fed there. Try this:

"Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations establishing a process for assessing the risk of all nonnative wildlife species proposed for importation into the United States, other than those included in a list of approved species issued under this Act. Sets forth factors that must be considered, including the identity of the organism to the species level, the native range of the species, whether the species has caused harm to the economy, the environment, or other animal species or human health in similar ecosystems, and the likelihood of establishment or spread of the species in the United States. Provides procedures for issuance and expansion of a list of nonnative wildlife species approved for importation and a list of nonnative wildlife species that are prohibited.
Establishes prohibitions on:
(1) importation or transportation between states of nonnative species that are not included in the list of approved species;
(2) permit violations; and
(3) possession, purchase, sale, barter, release, or breeding of such species.
Exempts from such prohibitions actions by law enforcement personnel to enforce this Act or by federal or state officials to prevent the introduction or establishment of nonnative wildlife species. Declares that nothing in this act restricts the importation or transportation between states of such species by a federal agency for its own use if the species remains in its possession. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits authorizing otherwise prohibited importation for scientific research, for medical, accredited zoological or aquarium display purposes, or for educational purposes that are specifically reviewed, approved, and verified by the Secretary if the Secretary finds that there has been a proper showing by the permittee of responsibility for the specimen and continued protection of the public interest and health.
Allows the imposition of fees on persons who submit a proposal to include a species in either of the lists to recover the costs of assessing risks of nonnative wildlife species. Establishes a Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Fund into which such fees and fines for violations will be deposited.
Redesignates the Invasive Species Council established by Executive Order 13112 as the National Invasive Species Council."

[YeeHawReefer]

You have to be careful where you get your info.....Like with lots of things, it may require a simple permit, usually free, if not no more than $25. Its not that bad, really.....Here in florida to own certain animals we require a permit, animals like skunks, some ground squirrels/prairie dogs, things like that.

taken from:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h669/show

[jenglish]

I appreciate wanting to be active. I am not worried about this bill just yet as it is still early and this in not a bill that has never been tried before. It has been defeated before and probably will be again.

Also in the past 2 weeks between here and RC I think I ave seen this thread started 14-16 times.

[YeeHawReefer]

Originally Posted by jenglish

I appreciate wanting to be active. I am not worried about this bill just yet as it is still early and this in not a bill that has never been tried before. It has been defeated before and probably will be again.

Also in the past 2 weeks between here and RC I think I ave seen this thread started 14-16 times.

I agree with that sir! Its only been proposed, not being voted on, just in the whisper stages.

[OneDummHikk]

14-16? Wouldn't have to go back 2 weeks to find that many. Its almost old news now its been around so much.

[jdhuyvetter]

Originally Posted by YeeHawReefer

Well, I see why they want to implement this. Lion Fish are taking over the Keys right now. I know there is no way to direct it towards irresponsible animal keepers that let their pets go when they are too big, or when they cant take care of them. Thats the problem....not the responsible ones.

ps-Did this need to be posted 8 different times, its all the same forum.....

They found one (1) lionfish in the Keys. How is that taking over???

The list of invasive species that are thriving in Florida is very long. But lionfish are definitely not one of them.

[mscottring]

Maybe it was one really big and angry lionfish?

[jenglish]

Originally Posted by jdhuyvetter

They found one (1) lionfish in the Keys. How is that taking over???

The list of invasive species that are thriving in Florida is very long. But lionfish are definitely not one of them.

I would have to look it up but I believe there have been several and it is getting to be quite a problem. A regional answer is more appropirate as one that has been discussed on RC primarily by J. Hemdal. Its a knee jerk reaction to the snakes and the ape attack recently but they have tried such measures before and have not made it out of committee in the past.

[jdhuyvetter]

Originally Posted by mscottring

Maybe it was one really big and angry lionfish?

If you read the headlines to the newspapers it was. I think it made the front page of every south Florida paper. To read the article, the world was coming to an end because Hurricane Andrew let some lionfish escape in Miami. The divers that saw it had to swim for their lives. Had to send the Navy and Coast Guard out to kill it.

Personally, I am all for restricting species. I was in a LFS today that had a nurse shark. It took everything I had not to call FWC. Very underfed and in a small tank. There are a very few sharks that do well in private tanks. I have not problem with them being sold. Nurse sharks are definitely not on that list.

so ,for me, I am totally against this bill (and all for a few more restricted species listings)

[Paramecium]

I took this from the first 3 pages of the bill. If you take a second to read it you can see fairly quickly that it really is not going to be an issue for reef aquariums in particular unless you live on the gulf and that's still stretching it. This is more reminiscent of laws that ban ferrets, weasels etc.. Animals that when set loose or get out can thrive and do damage to crops, native animals and spread disease. things along those lines. I don't see tropical reef animals posing a threat to our native species in most of the country. Read the bill and stop panicking.


A BILL

To prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative
wildlife species that negatively impact the economy, environment,
or other animal species’ or human health, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act’’.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a risk assessment process to prevent the introduction into, and establishment in, the United States of nonnative wildlife species
that will cause or are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species’ health or human health.

SEC. 3. RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR IMPORTATION OF NONNATIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall promulgate regulations that establish a process for assessing the risk of all nonnative wildlife species proposed for importation into the United States, other than nonnative wildlife species that are included in the list of approved species issued under section 4.

(b) FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED.—The regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall include consideration of—
(1) the identity of the organism to the species level, including to the extent possible specific information on its subspecies and genetic identity;
(2) the native range of the species;
(3) whether the species has established or spread, or caused harm to the economy, the environment, or other animal species or human health in ecosystems in or ecosystems that are similar to those in the United States;
(4) the likelihood that environmental conditions suitable for the establishment or spread of the species exist in the United States;
(5) the likelihood of establishment of the species in the United States;
(6) the likelihood of spread of the species in the United States;
(7) the likelihood that the species would harm wildlife resources in the United States;
(8) the likelihood that the species would harm native species that are rare or native species that have been listed as threatened species or endangered species in the United States under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
(9) the likelihood that the species would harm habitats or ecosystems in the United States;
(10) the likelihood that pathogenic species or parasitic species may accompany the species proposed for importation; and
(11) other factors important to assessing the risks associated with the species, consistent with the purpose under section 2.

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by jdhuyvetter

They found one (1) lionfish in the Keys. How is that taking over???

The list of invasive species that are thriving in Florida is very long. But lionfish are definitely not one of them.

Considering that the lionfish issue was traced - supposedly - back to Miami the fact that they found a lionfish in the Keys means theres a lot more than 1. How many do you think are hiding in order to find 1? Think ants, roaches, rats, anything you want. If you SEE 1, there a LOTS more you don't see.