USFW moves to severly restrict generas Python, Boa and Eunectes

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[DanS]

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is looking into passing regulations banning the importation and interstate transport of all snakes belonging to the genera Python, Boa and Eunectes. This will be a severe blow to the hobby and all efforts to stop such a move should be made. The proposed legislation would make it illegal to move one of these snakes from one state to another in effect destroying all trade in these animals. This should be a concern for all reptiles keepers as a ban of this sort would only be a precursor or precedent for future regulations on other reptiles.

Attached is the USFW proposal in full. Please read it carefully


As the Federal Register outlines, only comments submitted in the format that they have specified will be reviewed. Comments on message boards, BLOGs, and petitions will not be accepted or reviewed. We recommend that everyone focus their efforts on submitting comments using the required procedure rather than methods that will not produce tangible results. Individuals and businesses may submit their comments at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=09000064803a565f.


Please take time to review the proposal in full, and only submit comments relevant to the specific requests. General comments and abusive comments are liable to be discarded, unread. Please spell check your comments before submitting them.

[DanS]

On Friday, February 29, at 10 PM Eastern, in kingsnake.com's Chat Room, kingsnake.com will host a special chat on the proposed federal regulations detailed above. Invitations to participate as panelists have been submitted to the following individuals and organizations. As panelists are confirmed we will update this message and the guest list for Chat Week. More panelists may be added as required, and panelists that are unavailable will be removed from the list.

Invited Panelists:

    * PIJAC
    * Reptiles Magazine
    * David/Tracy Barker - Vida Preciosa Intl.
    * Kamuran Tepedelen - Bushmaster Reptiles
    * Kevin McCurley - N.E.R.D. ~ confirmed
    * Jeff Ronne - The Boaphile
    * Rich Ihle - Salmonboa.com
    * Ralph Davis - Ralph Davis Reptiles ~ confirmed
    * Jeff Barringer - kingsnake.com ~ confirmed
    * USF&W Service
    * Brian Sharp - Brian Sharp Reptiles
    * Bill Brandt - Gourmet Rodent
    * Wayne Hill - National Reptile Breeders Expo ~ confirmed
    * Eugene Bessette - Ophiological Services
    * Bob Clark - Bob Clark Reptiles ~ confirmed
    * Brian Potter - NARBC/Chicago Reptile House

While this is being held on kingsnake I still recommend everyone attend and listen well and take head to the panelists recommendations.

[DanS]

I have been in contact with Dave Barker who will most likely lead the fight. He mentions that since they have given us until april 30th to give him time to review this with legal and political entities so that we can set up the most effective response to this as possible. Currently I think they are looking to find out what kind of financial impact this will have on the country. If you are to reply please emphasize the loss of income and jobs that will result from such legislation.

Will this put you out of business.
How many jobs will be lost at your facility
How much business will your rodent breeder lose
how much will your cage and dry good suppliers lose
how much you spend with fed-ex that they will lose
ect ect

It is time we seriously get organized and create a reptile keeper association "not just a show group" that will fight for our rights and interests. A political action group if you will with legal defense and Lobbying efforts. This will  be a challenge and expensive to get running. But with the largest breeders making the most money from the animals being banned "ball pythons" It will only be wise for them to invest back into the community some of what they have received. As mentioned I have spoken with Dave Barker and he feels the same way. Obviously as he and many of you have been in the hobby longer that my 12 years and have more contacts. I will hope this can be taken seriously and a serious effort in this direction can be made.

[swreptile]

Very simple on this on. If you keep, breed, or are a vendor at reptile shows. This WILL effect you! Everyone needs to read it, and send a letter. It will be well worth your time and effort. I am a member of PIJAC. They are going to fight it also. They have gotten some big names to help. Please get involved. Boas and pythons today. Kings, corns, and frogs tomorrow. Once the first one passes. It only makes it easier for the next thing someone else thinks we should not have.

If this happens what do you think they will do to the venomous folks?

will they think POISON dart frogs are a issue? We know they are not

[DanS]

Chat starting in a couple I recommend everyone sit in

http://chat.pethobbyist.com/login.php?room_id=1001

[sewerfest]

Today I had the chance to talk with Don Schultz.  For those of you who dont know he is a South African, now living in San Diego, and from what I have learned an amazing reptile mind.  We got to talking about the ban, since he is going to be meeting with a group of people I believe on Friday in Chicago to discuss it more.  What he stressed to me is the importance of quality letters.  He said that The Fish and wildlife is compiling the letters, and then submitting them to a non biased advisory group to make a determination.  He noted that so far about 750 letters had been submitted, seems really low right?  He also pointed out that Fish and wildlife only feels 4 are worthy of submission.  The rest were all emotion based.  I know a lot of people are taking their time to write the perfect letter, but make sure you do that.  Don gave me the impression, again he didn't actually say this, just my impression from him, that the Fish and Wildlife doesn't want this, they just want the South Florida group to be happy.  He said fish and wildlife really wants good economic numbers.  They want to show that the economy needs the reptile industry, while not as big as the auto industry its still a part of our economy.  Reptile laws are not going to become any less strict, only more restrictive.  They successfully stopped the banning of iguanas, and hopefully through sound non emotional arguments this ban can be stopped as well.  Remember they are taking letters till the end of April so get them in.

[swreptile]

Shane, Dan and I talked about this many times. I hope that by you posting this? ALL the people on the side lines need to get in the game! I know that all the show promoters are pushing for people to do this also.

Dan, could we do some type of flier to hand out with WI reptile one at Monona? I will make table space if needed. And, or can give out with all snakes purchased. I want to do that with WI flyer's also

[DanS]

this is not going away

Can you believe the crap this senator is pushing and the media goes along with

http://www.nbc6.net/news/15715572/detail.html

This is not going to go away, get active or lose your snakes

[Dane_Zoo]

"I've been taking this map to all those senators from those other states trying to get them educated,"

what a joke, I saw his map, It included Arizona and really dry, desert area

[ER]

That's the kind of absurdity the hobby is up against, sadly. That map has several flaws, which are discussed here:
http://www.vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/files/Tympanum.pdf

[DanS]

the map displays possible areas of infestation if global warming worsens drastically. Of course once that happens pythons living in KY will be soooo much worse than florida being completely under water

[snakelady]

the map displays possible areas of infestation if global warming worsens drastically. Of course once that happens pythons living in KY will be soooo much worse than florida being completely under water

Oh, yeah that would be soooo much worse!

They are just promoting the "facts" that help them not the whole picture.