USDA seeks change to regulate Internet and retail pet sales

[WingedWolfPsion]

Reptiles have always been exempt from USDA licensing, so is there any reason to think this would change that?

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

Reptiles have always been exempt from USDA licensing, so is there any reason to think this would change that?

Burmese Pythons, African Rock Pythons, and Yellow Anacondas have always been exempt from Lacy Act requirements (236 years exempt to be exact), any reason to think that would have been changed a few months ago? The very common boa constrictors and 4 other species would have joined them in illegality if USARK and others had not fought so hard. Some people do not want exotic pet ownership to exist and over regulation is one of the best ways to stifle and eventually eliminate any form of commerce. The USDA, like the Lacey Act, is just another tool in the gov't toolbox. The Gibson Guitar company is a prime example of commerce suppression through over-regulation and their story provides a very possibly real glimpse into exotic animal keepers' futures.

[Dragoon]

I actually expect to see a birth of tea partyers being born out of the reptile community from this amount of 'over regulation' (since opinions do vary). I personally think they are over zealous nuts that bred a hostile and divided government, but now and then I think they do have a point once in a while.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Burmese Pythons, African Rock Pythons, and Yellow Anacondas have always been exempt from Lacy Act requirements (236 years exempt to be exact), any reason to think that would have been changed a few months ago?

Yes, there were a lot of things leading up to that--in particular, legislation was proposed to accomplish it.

The USDA hasn't proposed adding reptiles to the species that require licensing. If they do, then we will have cause to be concerned. At the moment, we don't.