S373 Amended Today to 9 Large snakes from list

The Bill S373 was agreeded upon and moved foward this morning to include the 9 constrictors from the USGS report only and already moved foward.
Talk was said about allowing breeders time to come up with an exit plan to lession the impact.

Originally Posted by repti-racks

Talk was said about allowing breeders time to come up with an exit plan to lessen the impact.

THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THAT

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.

They can take my animals from my cold dead hands if they want them... I swear this crap better not pass.... -_-

Originally Posted by Twizted Paths

THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THAT

That shows you how bright they are. All that may help with is getting rid of them but dosnt help all the loss of thousands of american dollars invested in them. Now this went through the value is going to drop on those 9 im sure.

It already has, by more than half and it can't be blamed on the economy either. Before this crap hit our industry was showing GROWTH in sales and the economy was worse then.

Originally Posted by Twizted Paths

THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THAT

Did you watch the hearing? They pretty much suggested giving us time to skin our animals so we could then continue to trade in skins. Skin our beloved pets. Peta and the hsus would be up in arms had they suggested that for dogs and cats.

The wording was pretty vague. I'm waiting on something from USARK to clarify. They definitely added the amendment to add the 9, but it wasn't completely clear whether the python genus was being dropped.

Even if they did drop pythons, we need to continue to fight. They're going to keep shooting until they get all of us.

I can't even imagine what this is going to do to the big name breeders Even if you do drop prices on your animals... Some of these breeders have hundreds and thousands of animals that they have to get rid of... not to mention eggs in incubation or gravid females right now... You would think that ppl would literally have to give away animals if this crap passes That's terrible for the businesses i guess the only "good" thing would be that you can still sell in state....

From what i have read and understand on the S373 Bill today what ever was written in and amended today is to be added as,

"QUOTE" "injurious wildlife" list under the Lacey Act (Title 18 US Code Section 42(a)(1)). As drafted, S. 373 would amend the Lacey Act to add these 9 large constrictors as an injurious species that would prohibited export,import and interstate transport.
According to Federal/state/stakeholder collaborative initiatives.as a general rule,adding species to the Lacey Act "injurious wildlife" list through legislative action unless a species poses a clear, eminent threat to human health or security on a large regional or national scale.

Isnt this only a problem in FL ?

Originally Posted by MagickalMorphs

Did you watch the hearing? They pretty much suggested giving us time to skin our animals so we could then continue to trade in skins. Skin our beloved pets. Peta and the hsus would be up in arms had they suggested that for dogs and cats.

The wording was pretty vague. I'm waiting on something from USARK to clarify. They definitely added the amendment to add the 9, but it wasn't completely clear whether the python genus was being dropped.

Even if they did drop pythons, we need to continue to fight. They're going to keep shooting until they get all of us.

SKIN them????Like seriously??? We, well... I know most of us do NOT buy animals just because they are pretty... It's because we WANT the animal and want to INTERACT with the animal... are you freakin serious?? This crap is ridiculous