Honorable Kay Hagan
521 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Hagen,
Please oppose S373, also known as, “The Python Ban”. Although I share concern for the environment of the Everglades, this bill is over reaching, and will have a far more detrimental effect on the trade in high quality, captive bred reptiles than addressing the issues in south Florida, and, with no credible evidence to support such draconian measures, it will negatively affect jobs and livelihoods nationwide, as well as here, in North Carolina.
The USGS report being used as justification for listing nine snakes on the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act has been discredited by a panel of 11 independent scientists. In a letter to the Senate EPW Committee, this report has been characterized as “unscientific.” The scientists further state, “This document is not suitable as the basis for legislative or regulatory policies.” Additionally, of the nine snakes listed on this proposed bill, the name Boa Constrictor, is incorrect. This is a genus name that represents no less than ten sub-species. So, while this proposed bill purports to affect only nine sub-species of snakes, it will, in fact, ban at least eighteen of them.
The reptile trade in the United States represents approximately 3 billion dollars annually, and exports of high quality, captive bred reptiles account for 82% of the trade worldwide. Thousands are employed directly or indirectly by the reptile industry. The trade in the nine snakes addressed in S373 is approximately one-third of the total annual trade. In a recent letter to the Senate EPW Committee the U.S. Chamber of Commerce states, “If enacted in it’s current form, this legislation would adversely impact tens of thousands of businesses.”
S373, if passed, will circumvent the scientific process for the sake of political expediency. Thousands of hard working American families will be bankrupted. As a reptile keeper, I also support the pet industry as a whole, by purchasing food, cleaning supplies, etc. I support the veterinary industry by taking my animals in for regular check-ups and treatment if they become ill, and I support the electronics industry by purchasing the electronic controllers and monitors for the vivariums. I personally spend approximately $1000 annually for the care and upkeep of my reptiles, and I am only one of an estimated eleven million reptile keepers nationwide. In conclusion, I would like to add, that even though I do not work directly or indirectly in the reptile industry, for me, it is personal. I merely want to protect my beloved pets. Please vote “NO” on S373. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
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