Will Constrictors be Added to the Lacey Act?
By: Susan Muller Esneault, DVM
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The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing available biological and economic information on constrictor snakes in Python, Boa, and Eunectes (Latin for Anaconda) genera for possible addition to the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. An injurious wildlife listing would prohibit the importation into, or transportation between, States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the Unites States by any means, without a permit. Permits may be issued for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes...
Comments may be sent directly to the government:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main
Comments may also be submitted by Fax: 202-501-4067 or by mail to: Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Attn: Diedra Wingate, Washington, DC 20405. Must cite FAR Case 2007-008 in all correspondence related to this case.
This was quietly published in the Federal Register on Jan. 31, 2008 by petition from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The SFWMD is concerned about the number of Burmese pythons found in Florida, especially in the Everglades national Park. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently accepting public comments until April 30th. This is the formal notification for public comment regarding the intention of the USF&W Service to place ALL of the before mentioned snakes on the injurious wildlife list of the Lacey Act.
The Federal Register outlines that only comments submitted in the specified format will be reviewed. Comments on message boards, BLOGs, and petitions will not be accepted or reviewed.
The Lacey Act dates back to the early 1900’s and is one of the oldest wildlife related laws on the books. Under the Lacey Act, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to regulate the importation and transport of species, including offspring and eggs, which are determined to be injurious to the health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture, or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the U.S.
The Lacey Act may be reviewed at:
http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/ANS/ansInjurious.cfm
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