Chamber of Commerce opposes S373.

[Wretched Deviant]

This is the USARK letter I got today:

"WILMINGTON, NC, December 16--In a letter addressed to the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works the US Chamber of Commerce takes a position opposing S. 373 that echoes the position of the United States Association of Reptile Keepers. The bill ostensibly written to address the issue of feral Burmese pythons in the Everglades is overreaching and circumvents the scientific listing process called for by the Lacey Act through the US Fish & Wildlife Service.



USARK believes that Burmese pythons have been sensationalized in the media and S. 373 has become overly politicized. USARK president Andrew Wyatt stated, “I don’t think there is any doubt that the Humane Society of the United States is trying to highjack this bill and use it as a tool to destroy the trade in high quality captive bred reptiles”. The HSUS has a long standing ideological position opposing all reptiles in captivity. They have lobbied extensively to pass as broad a version of S. 373 as possible.



As written, S. 373 would not achieve its stated goal of addressing the problem of feral pythons in the Everglades. It would, however, have a tremendous impact on the trade of captive bred reptiles in the US and abroad including a number of pythons and Boa constrictor. The trade in captive bred reptiles is a $3 billion a year industry and US exports account for 82% of trade worldwide. S. 373 if passed would be devastating. Thousands of jobs would be lost and scores of small family owned businesses would be bankrupted.



The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, opposes S. 373. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, “if enacted in its current form, this legislation would adversely impact tens of thousands of businesses”. The Chamber goes on to state that, “If, however, Congress intends to pass a ban to limit the import of the Burmese Python, then it is essential that the proposed ban be drafted as narrowly as possible”."

Okay, so it doesn't mean anything's in the clear but I feel a little happy that someone in the government is saying this piece of legislation is crap. Just thought some people might like to hear about this if they don't get the newsletter.

[joepythons]

Could it be someone is REALLY thinking like we do .

[Emilio]

Finally some good news!! Finally part of the govt is making sense.

[Denial]

Finally some good news!! Finally part of the govt is making sense.

Well yea if you dont have burms....

[Adam_Wysocki]

The Chamber of Commerce is not a government organization. They are certainly a powerful lobby group, but give the current administrations history of completely ignoring views that aren't in alignment with their own, this certainly isn't a silver bullet.

The good news is that this is just another item that Senators who want to take our side can use as a tool to support their opposition to S373. In your calls and meetings with your Senators, make sure to mention the views of the Chamber of Commerce.

I'll have updated talking points for meetings and phone calls that incorporate the views of the Chamber up on www.nosnakeban.com by the end of the day.

-adam

[WingedWolfPsion]

This IS very good news, though. I'm glad they're on our side!

[herpmanout82]

Wow, it's about time.

[Hypnotic Exotic]

Adam,
Is there any way we can get a list of which senators are leaning for and against? I know from a response I saw posted, John Cornyn from Texas seems to be against and that jives with what I got back from him on HR 669. I'm waiting to hear back on an appointment to meet with his Houston staff myself.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Adam,
Is there any way we can get a list of which senators are leaning for and against? I know from a response I saw posted, John Cornyn from Texas seems to be against and that jives with what I got back from him on HR 669. I'm waiting to hear back on an appointment to meet with his Houston staff myself.

Generally speaking, the Republicans are against the idea of ignoring the existing regulatory process for listing species as injurious and oppose S373/HR2811. The Democrats are in favor of bold and sweeping government actions to combat any issue that is considered to have negative environmental impacts to Americas ecosystems. Dems feel that the existing processes are too slow to act and that they have the responsibility to take control and make the changes themselves.

I'm working in Washington to meet with staff members representing all 100 Senators to educate them about S373 and find out where each stands. For many, this bill is brand new and they are still investigating it in order to form an opinion. As I gather information after the first of the year (Congress is stuck on Health Care and only Health Care right now and then they are leaving for winter break), I'll be able to share it publicly so that we can all effectively campaign to the right people.

Great question!!!

-adam

[WingedWolfPsion]

Dems feel that the existing processes are too slow to act and that they have the responsibility to take control and make the changes themselves.

They're not really wrong about that, they're just not bright enough to realize this is not one of those cases.