[GSAS-Member] FW: Letter From APPA President Regarding Bill HR 669

[matt kaufman <igotadose@hotmail.com>]

HR 669 is the end of the aquarium hobby as we know it. Activism, at least as 
far as writing letters to your congresspersons, is called for. Congressman Doc 
Hastings is on the subcommittee that's involved with this resolution. 






The club should consider putting up a statement alerting people to the hazards 
of HR 669
         






From: info@americanpetproducts.org




 


Dear Pet Industry Colleague: 

It is not often that I send a notice such as this, but I believe it is my 
responsibility as President of this Association to bring an urgent matter to 
your attention. I am sure a number of you have been hearing about The Nonnative 
Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (HR 669). In fact, over the past several days 
I have found that many of you share my concerns with this bill-- that if 
passed, could negatively impact the entire pet industry. 

For those of you that are not aware of HR 669 the following is a summary of 
what it entails. In a nutshell, this bill will require the US Fish and Wildlife 
Service to produce two lists of pets after conducting a risk assessment for 
each nonnative wildlife species in the US to determine if it is likely to 
“cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species’ health 
or human health”. In order to be placed on the “Approved List” it must be 
established that the species has not, or is not likely to, cause “harm” 
anywhere in the US. Otherwise it goes to the “Unapproved List”. 

Before going any further there are two things that should be understood. First, 
“Nonnative Species” in the pet trade encompass virtually every bird, reptile, 
amphibian, fish and a number of mammals (e.g., hamsters, gerbils, g uinea pigs, 
ferrets) commonly kept as pets. Second, the way the bill is written HR 669 
would essentially ban all species that do not appear on the Approved List, 
regardless of whether or not they have ever been petitioned for listing or are 
sufficiently well studied to enable a listing determination. 

Species not appearing on the “Approved List” could not be imported into the 
United States, nor could they be moved in interstate commerce. Trade in all 
such unlisted species would come to a halt – possession would be limited and 
all breeding would have to cease. To reiterate: Unless species are included on 
the Approved List import, export, transport, and breeding would be prohibited. 
Exceptions are limited and would not be available to pet owners across the 
nation. 

I agree with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and others in 
supporting the underlying intent of HR 669 to establish a risk-based process in 
order to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive species. It has been 
clear for quite some time that steps are needed to enhance and improve the 
current listing process for species shown to be injurious under the existing 
Lacey Act. In addition to much needed appropriations to fund staff and other 
ancillary support aids, the Lacey Act needs to be modernized to make the 
process more timely, efficient and transparent. However, HR 669 falls far short 
of accomplishing this objective. 

Among the serious concerns with this bill is the fact that the HR 669 listing 
criteria mandates proving a negative – that no harm has or is likely to occur 
within the whole of the United States. We all know how difficult that is. 
Beyond this, the “risk assessment” process is too limited in scope and 
application and should instead be a broader “risk analysis” that also takes 
into consideration socio-economic factors and mitigation (management) measures 
that might be utilized by the federal and state agencies. Add to this the fact 
that because the Service does not currently have the capacity to implement the 
provisions of the act given limited staff and money, a disproportionately large 
number of species will not be able to be placed on the Approved List in a 
timely fashion. 

The first hearing for this bill has been set for April 23 so if you find this 
as troublesome as I do you need to act quickly. I urge you to take the time 
right now to let your congressmen know your concerns. Also, alert your 
employees, friends, neighbors and any other like-minded people and urge them to 
do the same. For more information, please visit 
http://www.pijac.org/files/public/669Alert14April.pdf. Thank you for your 
concern and for your immediate attention to this matter.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Bob Vetere, President
American Pet Products Association
203-532-3603
bob@americanpetproducts.org

 
 
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