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Aquatic-Terrors _ Announcements _ Ban on Non-Native Species Keeping! HR 669
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 6 2009, 09:14 PM
Alright folks, this impacts ALL of us.
http://www.pijac.org/files/public/US_HR_669.pdf
NONNATIVE SPECIES
APRIL 23
ACTION NEEDED
THE ISSUE
The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 669), introduced by Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam)
Chair of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Natural Resources Committee
would totally revamp how nonnative species are regulated under the Lacey Act.
Currently, the Fish and Wildlife Service (hereafter Service) is required to demonstrate that a species is injurious
[harmful] to health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare
and survival of wildlife resources of the U.S.
HR 669 substantially complicates that process by compelling the Service to produce two lists after conducting a
risk assessment for each nonnative wildlife species 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. Species that are considered potentially harmful would be placed on an “Unapproved List.” Furthermore, 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.
THE IMPACT
Nonnative species in the pet trade encompass virtually every bird, reptile, amphibian, fish and a number of
mammals (e.g., hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, ferrets) commonly kept as pets. It is immaterial under HR 669
that the
• Vast majority of these nonnative species in the pet trade have been in the United States in large numbers
for decades, some for hundreds of years, and have not proven to be an environmental problem.
• Numerous species are raised in the United States for many purposes: pets, recreational fishing and
hunting, food, etc.
• Only a small number of species kept as pets have caused environmental problems, and this has generally
been on a very localized basis (i.e. southern Florida, Hawaii).
• Most states have exercised their authority to regulate problem species within their own borders through a
mixture of management regimes ranging from permit systems to bans.
HR669 - April 2, 2009
Revised
2
• The HR 669 listing criteria mandates proving a negative – that no harm has or is likely to occur within
whole of the United States.
• 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.
HR 669 would employ a 2-step process of a Preliminary and a Final Approved List and necessitate that the
Service promulgate regulations not only to deal with creation of the lists but also regulating all aspects of this
rather complex bill. The Service would have to complete major portions of the listing and regulation process
within 24 months of passage. It is not clear how the Service will be able to conduct the required risk assessment
outlined in HR 669 within these timeframes given the fact that it takes on average 4 years for the Service to find a
species harmful under the current Lacey Act. The bill sets up the under-resourced Service for failure and
numerous lawsuits by activist groups
Believe it or not, this bill has made it further than any other bill regarding pet keeping.
Posted by: DragonKeeper Apr 7 2009, 04:35 AM
Last I heard it didn't make it past the Senate. Can't remember who I heard it from but it was at the GCCA Swap on 4-5-09. Anyway there is a link to a petition on MFK that Li is sending. Please sign and show support.
http://aquatic-terrors.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15094
Keeper
Posted by: biggin Apr 7 2009, 06:39 AM
No votes yet....it is in a sub-committee...
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d111:1:./temp/~bdv9cb:@@@X|/bss/111search.html|
Bill are easy to see what is going on.
Anyone look to see who is paying for this to be run through?
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 7 2009, 11:56 AM
All I know is the HSUS is the largest supporter of this bill.
Posted by: DragonKeeper Apr 10 2009, 04:25 AM
HSUS???
I'm drawing a blank!
Keeper
Posted by: Kegger22 Apr 10 2009, 04:31 AM
I'm drawing a blank!
Keeper
http://www.hsus.org/
Posted by: DragonKeeper Apr 10 2009, 04:47 AM
Really it's not even the ASPCA! Its a cheap ripoff! Thank who ever it isn't PETA!
People need to start taking responsibility for their own actions.
A few will ruin the party for the many!!!!
Keeper
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 10 2009, 05:45 AM
The HSUS aka Humane Society US endorses mass euthanasia of reptiles they confiscate. The HSUS is similar to PETA. They have NO affiliation with the actual Humane Society, and are a main AR group active in the US.
They & PETA are the main groups responsible for the bills attempting to be passed.
From TRR: This NEWS ARTICLE http://www.bloggernews.net/17051
This post was written by REXANO on 23 May, 2007 (20:44) | All News
REXANO Editorial
Las Vegas, NV (May 23, 2007)–Responsible Exotic Animal Ownership (www.REXANO.org) urges Microsoft Corporation to reconsider their financial support for the animal-rights (AR) group, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Microsoft Windows Live Messenger “i’m” announced a new initiative: “Every time you start a conversation using i’m, Microsoft shares a portion of the program’s advertising revenue with some of the world’s most effective organizations dedicated to social causes. We’ve set no cap on the amount we’ll donate to each organization.“ (http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/About/)
“REXANO loves Microsoft products and our website is built using MS FrontPage and other MS software” says Scott Shoemaker, REXANO co-founder.
One of the beneficiaries of “i’m” is HSUS, an AR group that many confuse with local ‘Humane society’ shelters, however, Human Society of United States is not affiliated with any of them. They are a powerful well funded AR group, who instead of helping shelters and animals directly, works hard on eventually removing pets from our homes, meat from our tables, leather goods from our closets and animals from zoos and circuses.
“We hope the decision to include HSUS in the Live Messenger was just an honest mistake on the part of Microsoft”, says Zuzana Kukol, a Las Vegas big cat trainer and REXANO’s co-founder. ”When I first read about their ties to HSUS, my reaction was the same I used to get when seeing Windows 98 ‘blue screen of death’, hoping the blunder will get fixed soon.”
According to the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF, http://www.consumerfreedom.com) May 8, 2007 press release, message to Congress delivered by CCF Director of Research David Martosko stated:
“No matter how much farmers take animals’ welfare into account, animal-rights leaders won’t be satisfied until all animal protein disappears from the human diet. “HSUS and PETA share the same long-term goals…No meat. No dairy. No animal agriculture. Period. HSUS is basically PETA with a nicer wristwatch.” …”Congress,” Martosko continued, “could require U.S. farmers to supply every pig, chicken, duck, and cow with private rooms, daily rubdowns, video iPods, and organic meals catered by Wolfgang Puck. But even this wouldn’t satisfy activists who actually believe farm animals have the ‘right’ not to be eaten.”
”We find it disappointing that MS would partner with an AR group instead of finding a more deserving and needy animal welfare organization that actually helps animals.” adds Shoemaker.
According to HSUS’s 2005 income statement, their Total Revenue was $124,891,122, Net Assets $200,058,734 and President, CEO ‘s Wayne Pacelle salary $203,231.
Mr. Pacelle, who according to various news reports is a vegan who doesn’t even own a pet, was quoted on many occasions about his vision for the AR movement, and his personal objective of creating “a National Rifle Association of the animal rights movement.”
One of HSUS main objectives is to end captive keeping of wild and exotic animals.
“Most of the wild habitat is disappearing and the only chance to save many animals such as tigers from extinction is captive breeding with the private sector having the majority of available habitat” says Shoemaker.
“If the animal rights activists truly care about animals, then why are they trying to regulate and ban them to extinction?” asks Kukol. ”What crime did the animals commit to be sentenced to death?”
REXANO is free web resource designed to give much needed tools and statistics based research material to private owners of exotic and wild animals to fight unfair legislation in the USA. Current focus of www.REXANO.org is to reverse the trend in over regulation, with the desire that in the near future to work on repealing excessive regulations and bans on private ownership of exotics.
and more:
For those of you who have heard of Roark Ferguson, he does a lot of reptile and exotic shows, and public presentations including reptiles and wildlife. Think Jack Hannah.
From Roark Ferguson aka BigSnakeDaddy
Is this what we have to look forward to?
RE: SC Association of Reptile Keepers Reply
by bigsnakedaddy on February 25, 2007 Mail this to a friend!
Thanks for joining John. Good to hear from you Mardi. The paypal address is Bigsnakedaddy@sc.rr.com and is listed on the downloadable application form. You can also go to www.reptilesafari.org and click on the donation button at bottom right hand corner of the home page. You can pay by paypal or any major credit card. Just put joining SCARK as the subject.
Yesterday here at the Great Upstate Pet Expo we were verbally assualted by people claiming association with PETA and the HSUS. These people had an agenda and went around to all the other wildlife and dog groups and tried to turn them against me. They were vocal, disruptive and downright illogical. They argued the most ridiculous nonsense.
One particularly abrasive woman claimed to be a school teacher and kept arguing that my spectacled caimen was an alligator that had to be abused because it was not the right color for an alligator and called SCDNR to the scene. Of course I cooperate with all legitimate agencies and have permits to keep lligators and also help DNR move them in emergency situations. After satisfying the DNR agents request for qualifying info the agent departed the premises. The 3 stooges started up as soon as he left and no action was taken to shut down our exhibit. One lady (alleged schoolteacher) kept calling me a liar and was particularly confrontational.
This is a wildlife show where I am speaking and no reptiles are offered for sale or on display in the building other than my very professional display. This woman believes or tried to convince others that the animal would die without being in water 24 hours per day and should not have its mouth taped shut to protect both the crocodilian and spectators from harm. T
hese idiots themselves are not my greatest concern as I have been meeting their challenges headon for 20 plus years in this state despite their funding and strength of numbers. It is the overall apathy of SC reptile and exotic animal keepers who are content to watch and complain but who will fail to join and support.
Every person who keeps, sells, buys, or promotes the sale of these animals in the great state of SC needs to join immediately. Those who want to make a difference in this war will join and get everyone they know to join this organization as well. Best regards to all. Roark
RE: SC Association of Reptile Keepers Reply
by bigsnakedaddy on February 25, 2007 Mail this to a friend!
UPDATE!!! This morning as we opened our motel door we were shocked to find bags of what appeared to be human feces laid up against our motel door. Could be a coincidence but you never know. Sheesh. What next?
RE: SC Association of Reptile Keepers Reply
by bigsnakedaddy on February 27, 2007 Mail this to a friend!
NEWSFLASH; Sunday evening as we were driving down the highway after the Anderson, SC show while pulling our fully loaded exhibit trailer the front of the truck started wobbling forcing us to pull over.
Apparently someone took a tire iron and broke off two tire studs/bolts (could not be untightened) with attached lugnuts and loosened all the other lugnuts so that they were ready to fall off. Had we not stopped the tire would have come off at 60 mph.
We know these animal activists fight dirty. We know they lie and misrepresent. The war should be with words not blatant acts of sabotage! This act will not go unanswered.
MORE:
From: http://thereptileroom.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=2430&hl=HSUS
This to a large extent could have been avoided. Myself as well as Ray Goushaw of Herpetological Breeding Research have made numerous phone calls to the HSUS in Vero Beach regarding these animals including offers of taking them in ourselves and placing them for free to qualified reptile keepers and providing them with proper medical care. The Saint Lucie Regional Herpetological Society was also involved as the members had already stated they would take in any of these animals as well.
The Humane Society has seen fit to instead euthanize these animals as is obvious by their comments.
"They belong in their natural habitat. Having them in captivity for entertainment, we're really opposed to that,"
I was in this shop several times prior to its demise. The animals were not native species for the most part. They were exotics from Chameleons to Ball Pythons and tegus etc, so release was NOT an option.
The Humane Society appears to have ignored the phone calls that both myself and Ray made and our offers to take these animals in and give them proper medical care and placement. Instead they appear to have destroyed many of these animals. 200 plus reptiles and only 33 appear to have survived!
Here's a good one about how they will take even dogs involved in fighting rings and kill the puppies born AFTER the ring is busted up. They will take animals OUT of foster homes to euthanize:
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/02/20/hsus-feels-the-heat-for-pushing-for-dog-deaths/
But yet:
Yesterday, Best Friends led the charge, leading a coalition of outrage and issuing a withering statement:
The court-ordered destruction of 145 dogs, including about 75 puppies, who were seized from a fighting-dog breeding operation in December, was based on the faulty assumption that all dogs seized in dog-fighting-related busts should be deemed dangerous – and consequently euthanized.
The decision to kill the dogs was supported by the largest animal-welfare organization in the country, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). According to the Winston-Salem Journal, representatives of HSUS testified in Wilkes County Superior Court that the dogs had to be destroyed because they had been “bred for generations to be aggressive.”
HSUS reasserted its outdated policy, written more than 20 years ago: “Any dog who has been specifically bred or conditioned for fighting, or for which there is evidence that the dog has been used for fighting should not be placed for adoption by an animal shelter but humanely euthanized as soon as legally possible.”
A coalition of animal welfare organizations, led by Best Friends Animal Society, offered resources to the county to evaluate, spay/neuter, and find homes for qualified dogs.
There you have it folks, at least 2 major occurrences in a short search of two forums showing the HSUS really does NOT care about animals, other than to keep them out of our homes.
I mean, in St Lucie, you had the LICENSED reptile keepers with YEARS of undebatable experience prepared to house and feed these animals, willing to sign a waiver promising never to relinquish the ownership of the animal or breed it.
In the dog story, you had several animals IN foster care that were removed to euthanize. Including puppies born AFTER the dogs were confiscated.
These are the folks trying to push through these reptile bans, every single one of them is endorsed by the HSUS.
They've made it very clear their outlook on our keeping exotics and reptiles.
Posted by: WaterChangeWarrior Apr 10 2009, 06:41 AM
Kind of makes you wonder, have they given any thought at all to the fact that if there are not people keeping some of these animals in captivity, that they are already extinct in the wild due to pollution and loss of habitat. These animals will be gone forever. I'm sure it is true with many species, but I am most familiar with livebearers, many of the goodeid species in particular just are not to be found in the wild anymore. Which makes responsible fishkeepers even more important, if anything were to happen to the captive populations under our care, they just simply will not be able to be replaced. Victorian cichlids also come to mind in the same scenario, the Nile perch has decimated these fish in the wild. They are gone....except for what is kept in aquariums.
Let me also throw in here....sign these petitions and contact the lawmakers, but also get out there and talk about it. I was very surprised when I brought the topic up at a lfs this past week and the staff there did not know what I was talking about. Remember that not everybody who is involved with and dedicated to the hobby has access to a place like this, and you're certainly not seeing any coverage of the progress of this resolution on the news, so the vast majority of people are unaware that this is even happening. Spread the word wherever you can, the more people that get involved the better!
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 10 2009, 07:56 AM
Yes and just your average Joe wanting to buy a guinea pig or gerbils for his kids definitely is not aware of this type of legislation.
I should print out copies of it, and post it on the bulletin boards at PetCo and PetSmart. HIGHLIGHTING the specifics of what types of animals this affects. This would impact small pet store owners, large chains, breeders, and hobbyists alike
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 10 2009, 08:14 AM
Here's what you can do folks!! Go to this website http://www.nohr669.com/dosomething.htm and follow the instructions. There is a place to enter your Zip code to find your local Representative, and even a sample letter you can cut/paste into an email. Please follow up with phone calls!!!
I am writing all of this down, and planning to try to find a way to print this info out and leave it in public places, post it on pet store windows, whatever. Please do the same, even if you only tell ONE person and they tell someone they know, it will spread.
GET THE WORD OUT OR WE WILL LOSE OUR PETS!
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 10 2009, 09:08 AM
If passed, this bill would eliminate the estimated 3 BILLION dollar reptile hobbyist economy. With the whole economic crisis at hand, I can't even believe that anyone would THINK of eliminating even more jobs, and taking away things people are so passionate about.
This isn't even about JUST reptiles, sugar gliders, hamsters, gerbils, etc would be banned.
If you or your child buys a couple of pet hamsters today, and let's say you wound up with a male and female, if this ban passes, if they have babies ALL OF them would be confiscated and euthanized.
Now imagine you are a Pet store owner, how would this impact you?
Imagine you are a hobbyist who keeps African Cichlids, or South American Cichlids, you would not be allowed to keep your fish.
Here is a short video from Al Coritz (ViperKeeper) on YouTube illustrating this bill, and explaining WHY it is so important you do SOMETHING.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q724X1M4_9I&feature=sdig&et=1239378538.08
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 10 2009, 09:48 AM
Here is Gary Orner of TheReptileRoom.org talking about HR669. Feel free to embed this video or others like it on your Myspace, or personal websites to get the word out.
There are more videos like this on youtube.com
Posted by: WaterChangeWarrior Apr 10 2009, 06:25 PM
Excellent stuff Courtney! 
I checked out the http://www.nohr669.com/index.htm website, lots of good information, and they make it extremely easy to contact your representative and let your wishes be known!
Also, this new banner in my sig came from there. I have added it here and on several other sites that I go to frequently. There are several banner designs to choose from, some avatars also, so check it out. I will be adding some to my MySpace account and sending links to the site out in a bulletin to all my friends....asking them to voice their opinions and in turn send the bulletin out to all their friends, we need massive amounts of people to make their displeasure known about this joke of a resolution.
This is stuff that could lead to the end of the hobby as we know it, folks...so PLEASE join in with us on this!
Posted by: WaterChangeWarrior Apr 15 2009, 07:07 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FPfL212CB8
Posted by: WaterChangeWarrior Apr 19 2009, 02:57 PM
BUMP
Feel free to add any other info or YouTube links you guys run across concerning this! 
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 19 2009, 07:40 PM
PetSmart has actually taken a stance against HR669...
According to http://www.pethobbyist.com/sitenews/index.php?/archives/329-PetSmart-H.R.-669-a-serious-threat.html, PetSmart taken the following stance:
PetSmart now joins the ranks of thousands pet owners and pet businesses across the United States who have issued statements or faxed or emailed letters to congress opposing H.R. 669. From Petsmart's press release:
The bill creates severe restrictions that could adversely impact the importation, breeding, sale, or interstate transport of common household pets such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, and various birds, reptiles and amphibians in the U.S. A coalition of animal rights groups that includes the Humane Society of the U.S. is pushing for the bill's passage without amendments.
While PetSmart agrees with and supports the underlying premise of the proposed regulation - to keep harmful non-native species out of the country - we oppose the proposed legislation on several grounds.
You can read what grounds they oppose the legislation under on the website above.
Posted by: amercnwmn Apr 19 2009, 07:42 PM
Good to see that PetSmart has taken a stance and has publicly called out HSUS. Many folks confuse the HSUS with the Humane Societies locally.
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