Exotic Animal ban in the United States(HR669)

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

I don't know if this was already posted, but I had to search to find the address, so here is the petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/u...311/index.html

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too bad tp paper is worth more then this petition

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Originally Posted by Shadera

Why sit around making plans about what to do with your animals after it passes when that time could be used to write emails and make phone calls to fight this now?

Why on earth are so many people acting like we as reptile keepers have no say in this? Get off those butts and take action while we DO still have a say!

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ive sent several emails to all the people involoved with the bill!

The same old addage applies here that does on countless other issues. It only takes a few to ruin it for everyone. I used to live in Florida for several years and it was not uncommon to have herp owners turn their "pets" out into the wild due to size, lack of enthusiasm, or whatever.
Now, a decade later, Florida is facing issues with iguanas, and now Burmese Pythons. The climate in Florida does not take much for a reptile to acclimate to at all, especially in the southern part of the state. Alot of concern is being raised over the pythons that have started in habiting the everglades and the negative effect they are having on the countless endangered species that also occupy the Everglades. The problem is bad enough that it has gotten the attention of the state government and now there is even a task force assembled consisting of law enforcement, utility companies and others to be on the watchful eye for these snakes as well as any other "non-native" reptile. Now, obviously a constrictor or iguana wouldn't be able to aclimate to the climates of the northeast or midwst, but down south, they could ebcome a legitimate issue for a few states.
Personally, I don't see how the government can regulate the import of these reptiles. Sure, they may cut down on the number being imported, but I highly doubt the trade will cease altogether. As for small businesses failing because of it, I can actually see the opposite happening. If the government regulates the import of these reptiles, or at least the number of imported reptiles, that will, in turn drive the cost of these pets up considerably. Not to mention, how is the governemt going to regulate the private breeders who already have a large collection of breeders in their possession? Bottom line, try as they might, the powers that be will not able to totally wipe out the reptile populace in this country. That being said, I did sign the petition and I did send a copied letter to each of the legisaltors listed on the website so they know how adamantly I opposed such legislation. It kills me. We condemn other countries and label them "Rogue Nations" for the same processes our government is imposing on us. This potential law is just another example of the government trying to overstep their boundaries...AGAIN.

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

ive sent several emails to all the people involoved with the bill!

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its time to start contacting your own representative within the house. the founders of the bill are not the only ones to vote on it. also they dont care about the facts or the reality of this piece of trash

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Originally Posted by grim reaper in NY

The same old addage applies here that does on countless other issues. It only takes a few to ruin it for everyone. I used to live in Florida for several years and it was not uncommon to have herp owners turn their "pets" out into the wild due to size, lack of enthusiasm, or whatever.
Now, a decade later, Florida is facing issues with iguanas, and now Burmese Pythons. The climate in Florida does not take much for a reptile to acclimate to at all, especially in the southern part of the state. Alot of concern is being raised over the pythons that have started in habiting the everglades and the negative effect they are having on the countless endangered species that also occupy the Everglades. The problem is bad enough that it has gotten the attention of the state government and now there is even a task force assembled consisting of law enforcement, utility companies and others to be on the watchful eye for these snakes as well as any other "non-native" reptile. Now, obviously a constrictor or iguana wouldn't be able to aclimate to the climates of the northeast or midwst, but down south, they could ebcome a legitimate issue for a few states.
Personally, I don't see how the government can regulate the import of these reptiles. Sure, they may cut down on the number being imported, but I highly doubt the trade will cease altogether. As for small businesses failing because of it, I can actually see the opposite happening. If the government regulates the import of these reptiles, or at least the number of imported reptiles, that will, in turn drive the cost of these pets up considerably. Not to mention, how is the governemt going to regulate the private breeders who already have a large collection of breeders in their possession? Bottom line, try as they might, the powers that be will not able to totally wipe out the reptile populace in this country. That being said, I did sign the petition and I did send a copied letter to each of the legisaltors listed on the website so they know how adamantly I opposed such legislation. It kills me. We condemn other countries and label them "Rogue Nations" for the same processes our government is imposing on us. This potential law is just another example of the government trying to overstep their boundaries...AGAIN.

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perhaps this state should of done something about it before hand! now they want to cry wolf and run to take away my choices. its a florida problem not a federal problem.

oh yes and the wood rat is not a native species either!

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Originally Posted by Jombolo

It helps if you actually do your own research and READ the proposed bill...as I did.

I believe there are a few preconceived notions already in circulation here.

This bill actually allows the Secretary of the Interior to create a list of approved and prohibited species to enter and circulate within the U.S. There are roughly 11 guidelines, however the one of most importance, related to BP's and other already "commonly" owned exotic animals is Section 4 paragraph (b) subtext (1) part (B) "may be harmful to the United States’ economy, the environment, or other animal species’ or human health, but already are so widespread in the United States that it is clear to the Secretary that any import prohibitions or restrictions would have no practical utility for the United States."

The most important part of this line "but already are so widespread in the United States that it is clear to the Secretary that any import prohibitions or restrictions would have no practical utility for the United States." Not to mention the first portion about causing harm to the economy... that is if restricted, as someone stated above, BP's and commonly traded species would cause serious damage to the already stressed economy.

Of course the list would STILL be subject to the whims of the Secretary of Interior and that is where the hidden danger is.

to actually read the proposal, go to http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill...?bill=h111-669

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The complete vagueness of this bill is what makes it so extremely dangerous to the entire pet industry (professional breeders, amateur breeders, hobbyists, and pet owners ... as well all of the stores, dry good manufacturers, and businesses that supply them). The way the bill is currently written, it puts the definition of what "already are so widespread in the United States that it is clear to the Secretary that any import prohibitions or restrictions would have no practical utility for the United States" is left entirely in the hands of an appointed/hired (not elected) body of government that is constantly the subject of lobbying by animal rights groups that want to put an end to ALL pet ownership.

The bill also by default assumes that every non-native species (with the exception of the small list exempted by the bill) is not approved and that the already under staffed and financially strapped Fish and Wildlife service has 36 months to evaluate thousands upon thousands of species to see if they each meet the criteria to be placed on the approved list. The evaluation process that is required normally takes 4 years for each species. At the end of the 36 months prescribed in the bill, any species not evaluated and placed on the approved list is by default not approved, which means no import, export, transport across state lines, breeding, and possibly in some cases possession.

Whether you believe the bill is likely to pass or not, whether you agree that the bill will have an impact on you personally or not, bills like this will not stop. The animal rights groups are well funded, well organized, and determined to end all pet ownership one way or another. Stand up for your rights NOW and EVERY TIME one of these ridiculous pieces of legislation come up. Each of us have a voice and all together we can protect ourselves now and in the future.

To the OP ... the hearing on the 23rd is a hearing in the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans & Wildlife. It is not an up or down vote on the house floor, only a fact finding hearing to see if the bill merits the consideration on the full committee. That said, LETS NOT LET THIS BILL GET ANY FURTHER.

Keep an eye out for www.nohr669.com this week for information about what you can do to have a direct impact on stopping H.R. 669 dead in it's tracks!

-adam

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Originally Posted by nixer

its time to start contacting your own representative within the house. the founders of the bill are not the only ones to vote on it. also they dont care about the facts or the reality of this piece of trash

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done!!! trust me.....ive contacted everyone i could and i had my sister who could care less about the hobby do the same. i showed her the form letter and asked her to help and and she did!!

No one read the alert at the top of every subsection here? it pertains to this. its getting messy with all these new threads on the same subject. they should be merged and posted in the correct section.