VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU KEEP FISH, REPTILES, OTHER PETS ETC.

[Aqua-Dome]

PIJAC Pet Alert: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING BANNING NONNATIVE SPECIES
Hearing For H.R. 669 Set For Thursday, April 23
The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 669), introduced by Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) Chair of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Natural Resources Committee would totally revamp how nonnative species are regulated under the Lacey Act.

Currently, the Fish and Wildlife Service is required to demonstrate that a species is injurious [harmful] to health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the U.S.

HR 669 substantially complicates that process by compelling the Service to produce two lists after conducting a risk assessment for each nonnative wildlife species to determine if it is likely to “cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species’ health or human health.” In order to be placed on the “Approved List” it must be established that the species has not, or is not likely, to cause “harm” anywhere in the US. Species that are considered potentially harmful would be placed on an “Unapproved List.” Furthermore, HR 669 would essentially ban all species that do not appear on the Approved List, regardless of whether or not they have ever been petitioned for listing or are sufficiently well studied to enable a listing determination.

A hearing has been scheduled for April 23 and the pet industry needs to be heard load and clear prior to the hearing! The anti-trade elements are hard at work to stop activities involving non-native species.

For more information from the Pet Information Joint Advisory Council, click here or visit the Breaking News page at www.pijac.org.

[Jonthefishguy]

Every year a HB like this one appears and dies. I am not worried and many collectors I have talked to in the past 2 days have said that as it always has, it will not go anywhere and die.

If they are soo worried about what nonnative species has a negative effect on the environment, they might at well give the native american indians back their land and send the white man back as they have certainly done their share of effecting the environment in a negative way.

This bill has no teeth and as usual will die. It will reappear next year.

[wesheltonj]

From Reef Builders: (Notice they all have "D" after their name)

A new bill introduced into congress could change our lives forever. H.R 669 seeks to restrict what animals can be imported into the United States or to put it officially: “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.” The bill was introduced by Madeleine Bordallo, a democrat from Guam. If this bill gets passed into law it will ban importation, interstate transport and the private ownership of most birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish as pets. Thankfully, this bill has yet to go before a committee and most bills die at that stage, still this is a very scary proposition one that needs to be taken seriously. The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Grace Napolitano [D-CA] Del. Eni Faleomavaega [D-AS] Rep. Neil Abercrombie [D-HI] Rep. James McGovern [D-MA] Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D-CA] Rep. Raul Grijalva [D-AZ] Rep. Barbara Lee [D-CA] Rep. Barney Frank [D-MA] Rep. Alcee Hastings [D-FL] Rep. Ronald Kind [D-WI] Rep. Dale Kildee [D-MI] Rep. Ron Klein [D-FL] Rep. George Miller [D-CA]. You might want to call your local rep up and tell them not to co-sponsor. Additionaly if this bill is passed it would only allow the following animals: any cat (Felis catus) cattle or oxen (Bos taurus) chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) dog (Canis lupus familiaris) donkey or *** (Equus asinus) domesticated members of the family Anatidae (geese) duck (domesticated Anas spp.) goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) horse (Equus caballus) llama (Lama glama) mule or hinny (Equus caballus x E. asinus) pig or hog (Sus scrofa domestica) domesticated varieties of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) sheep (Ovis aries). You can click the read more link for the complete bill below.



HERE IS THE BILL:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill...?bill=h111-669