Newest email from USARK- Python ban moves forward

[bad-one]

PR: Python Ban Moves Forward Despite Questionable Science


December 10, 2009 Wilmington, NC- Driven by powerful special interests and much media sensation S. 373 aka ‘The Python Ban’ is likely to move forward despite lack of scientific justification. Pushed by Sponsor Senator Bill Nelson and the Humane Society of the United States S. 373 could devastate the trade in high quality captive bred reptiles in the United States.

Today the Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works (EPW) will hold a business meeting on S. 373. The Committee Chair is Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and the Ranking Member is Senator James Inhofe (R-OK). The committee will hold a mark up session where they will consider S. 373, to amend title 18, United States Code, to add constrictor snakes of the species Python genera to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. The committee is expected to amend the bill to include the 9 snakes listed on a recent controversial report by the US Geological Survey (USGS). All tolled the bill could stop the import, export and interstate transport of as many as 45 species of Boas and Pythons.

The USGS report being used to justify these extreme measures has been called into question by a group of independent scientists in a letter to the EPW Committee on November 24, 2009. The letter characterized the USGS report as “not a bona-fide scientific paper”. The US Department of the Interior (DOI) and the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) stand by the report and have recommended to the committee that all 9 snakes reviewed should be included by amendment to S. 373. The independent scientists, who include professors from University of Florida, Arizona State University, Texas A&M and The National Geographic Society, go further to state, “this document is not suitable as the basis for legislative or regulatory policies, as its content is not based on best science practices”

The United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) made an agreement in principle with Senator Bill Nelson’s office to limit the damage to a 3 billion dollar a year trade in these reptiles, but was informed yesterday that the agreement would not be honored. Senator Nelson has justified his position based on the recommendations made in regards to the USGS report by USFWS and DOI. Andrew Wyatt, president of USARK, commented that “it is a real shame that Senator Nelson has changed his position on this issue”. If the bill passes approximately 4 million boas and pythons already in captivity would be rendered valueless overnight with no provisions for disposition or compensation. Wyatt added, “it could create a situation where millions of people will be in possession of injurious wildlife. It is ludicrous to put so many law abiding citizens in that position and diminish the Lacey Act for the sake of political expediency.”

Passage of S. 373 would result in the loss of thousands of American jobs bankrupting an entire industry. Without strong evidence to support the injurious wildlife listing, USARK calls on the Senate EPW Committee to give an unfavorable rating to S. 373.

Contact:

Andrew Wyatt

president@usark.org




*****
This is bad....

[adam_degel]

they'll slowly work their way towards domesticated animals.. you'll see.. its the coming of a new era..

[Denial]

Dont get so down. Keep your head high and keep fighting it.

[herpmanout82]

Ok, I've been following this. Now that it's moving forward, are we going to be in violation of the law once this bill is passed as it is moving forward?

[Denial]

no your animals you have will be grandfathered in.

[Eventide]

I'm confused. I'm seeing conflicting reports. Some sites say the nine in the USGS survey were *added* to the list, and some say S373 *only* includes the nine. Anyone know which it is?

Not that the bill isn't still terrible either way, but I'd like to get my arguing points straight.

[panthercz]

no your animals you have will be grandfathered in.

That depends. They could easily amend the bill to say that anyone in possession of one with out a research permit is violating the law, and be charge with felony possession.

[herpmanout82]

That depends. They could easily amend the bill to say that anyone in possession of one with out a research permit is violating the law, and be charge with felony possession.

A felony? I'm in shock. I just read a little more about this bill, and it concerns me, as most.

How will this affect Ball Pythons? Pardon my ignorance if someone has already asked this before.

[panthercz]

Sorry I was wrong it already states that you will *HAVE TO KILL ALL YOUR PYTHONS*, because the Lacey Act says so. It says that all importers or consignees to “promptly” export or destroy any prohibited animals or eggs at their own expense.
A consignee is the owner for those that don't know...

The s373 bill is to ad these snakes to the Lacey Act so that means bye bye all pythons and boas.

[LadyOhh]

A felony? I'm in shock. I just read a little more about this bill, and it concerns me, as most.

How will this affect Ball Pythons? Pardon my ignorance if someone has already asked this before.

It doesn't... YET.

If this passes, this opens the floodgates for other legislation to be pushed thru, including those regarding Ball Pythons.