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I wanted to post this because after receiving a response from my letter to Congressman Ed Pastor (D) on H.R. 669 I began to feel more fearful than ever about the potential loss of our rights to keep, breed, and share these animals that we all love. My fear wasn't stirred by a disregard or overt disagreement of my letter, but of his ambiguous response to the arguments that were presented and his failure at any point to note opposition to H.R. 669.

It is obvious that many of our representative’s lack a true respect for us, the herpetoculture enthusiasts. After reading this I felt as though persuading such delegates to support similar legislation will be a great deal easier than convincing them to oppose related bills. We are up against it. We can’t afford to be passive on the efforts that exist to strip our freedoms to keep and breed nonnative reptiles. We have to fight CONTINUOUSLY.

Congressman Ed Pastor’s response follows…

April 24, 2009

Ed Pastor
4th District, Arizona
Subcommittee on
Interior, Environment, and Related Issues

Dear Mr. Knoell:

Thanks you for contacting me concerning efforts to protect our environment. I appreciate learning of you interest on the issue.

As you know, on January 26, the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, H.R. 669, was introduced in the House of Representatives. This bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to develop regulations for assessing the risk of all nonnative wildlife species proposed for importation into the United States. It does provide procedures for expanding the list of nonnative wildlife species approved for importation and the list of nonnative wildlife species that are prohibited. It also establishes prohibitions on the importation and transportation of nonnative wildlife species that are not included on the approved list between States, as well as prohibiting the possession, purchase, sale, barter, resale or breeding of this species. H.R.669 has been referred to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife. Hearings were held on April 23.

It is widely accepted by the scientific community that nonnative invasive wildlife is having an impact on our nation’s ecosystem. This is a particular concern in Arizona as we border Mexico and many nonnative species can be brought across our border. Accordingly, I believe we should explore all viable methods for addressing this issue. However, any legislative proposal must ensure that we do not have a negative impact on legitimate biodiversity. Should the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act come to the floor of the House, please be assured that I will consider it with your interests in mind.

It was good to hear from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,
(signature)
Ed Pastor
Member of Congress

"legislative proposal must ensure that we do not have a negative impact on legitimate biodiversity."

Legitimate biodiversity as opposed to illegitimate biodiversity which should be outlawed so as to prevent that our legitimate biodiversity isn´t infected with illegal invasive foreign (exotic) species!

Lolz. ^_^
Illegitimate biodiversity refers to illegal exotic animals, but if animals are illegal by law, they have no rights? if animals have rights, how can there be a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate biodiversity?
This congressman seeks to illegitimate biodiversity I suspect.
How does he define "legitimate biodiversity"?
And how does he make distinction between legitimate and "illegitimate biodiversity"?

Regards
oby

"This is a particular concern in Arizona as we border Mexico and many nonnative species can be brought across our border."

The congressman should not mistake the diversity in companion animal husbandry with a cancer of our modern society. Legal propagation and trade in terrarium animals should not be mistaken with illegally collected or smuggled exotic animals.

The sustainable and responsible trade and husbandry of amphibians and reptiles as vivarium animals is by definition not a criminal act, In defining the frame of responsible ownership the government may secure the american right to responsible animal husbandry while at the same time taking in consideration animal welfare and the inherent value of animals.

HAting to play devil's advocate, but many species that are now responsibly bred by hobbyists were once illegally smuggled into this country--take bearded dragons for instance.

Back in the 70's and 80's many herps now commomplace in the Pet Trade were ALL smuggled into the U.S. Some examples are Bearded Dragons, all Varanids from Australia, Womas, Diamond Pythons, Carpet Pythons [except for Irian Jayas], Spotted Pythons, many types of Bluetongue Skinks, Olive Pythons, every Australian Gecko species, and a host of other commonly seem inexpensive herps were ALL derived from illegal origins. I have many times heard some prominent herpers condemning the smugglers that did these heinous crimes. Realize that the majority did because they wanted to work with the species involved and not for the money. Also many of these people that now profess their disgust at smugglers were doing it themselves in that time period. I'm not suggesting that smuggling wildlife is a positive thing to do just stating facts. One thing is for sure now, NO ONE WOULD CONSIDER SMUGGLING A BEARDED DRAGON BECAUSE THEY ARE MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE HERE THAN IN AUSTRALIA.
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Oby,

All excellent points in both of your posts but the problem with the phrase of "legitimate biodiversity"...In that legitimate as defined by who? Scientists? Which scientists? The government? As Rep. Pastor states in his response letter back to Greg which states "It is widely accepted by the scientific community that nonnative invasive wildlife is having an impact on our nation's ecosystem"...

He is right about the impact on the nation's ecosystem...For decades, SOME Nonnative Invasive Species (NIS) have had a negative impact on the environment (habitat) here in the US (e.g. Zebra Mussell, Fire Ant, etc). In other instances, the NIS has been very beneficial to the economy (they are only concentrating on the negative). He, and the supporters of HR-669 (and other bills/regulations before it), are wrong with their solution. On the face of it, banning plants and animals seems logical (especially if you are in the regulating/enforcement business) but will that "solve" the problem? No it will not.

The reason it will not is because even if they ban everything, there will STILL be NIS here in the US because of our trade policies such as GATT, NAFTA, etc. Trade is essential for our economy (import/export) because the raw materials, finished goods, agricultural products, etc all generate income for people and people pay taxes (sales, income, property, etc). Additionally, there are other taxes generated as well...All to benefit the people and the government. So unless the government is prepared to ban ALL foreign trade, the NIS WILL ALWAYS FIND THEIR WAY INTO THE HABITATS OF THE US.

The reason for this is because in most other countries, they either will not (lower cost = higher profit) or they simply do not have the ability to "regulate" or enforce regulation for that matter, even the simplest of inspection protocols...Whether its an animal/insect, plant/seed, etc...The NIS will find their way here and there isn't anyhting the government can effectively do to stop it. NOTHING! As a matter of fact, can you think of a single instance where the government has been able to stop any of the NIS that are currently in the US? Think about it.

In other words, animals do not recognize international borders by any means...They are just trying to survive and they've been "migrating" or "hitch-hiking" on their own for how many years before man even existed on earth? So, there must be some other agenda in the works here because no matter what the government does, they cannot stop NIS in any economical manner without making virtually every product so expensive that our economy would simply fail...

The NIS (HR-669) is just the "tip-of-the-iceberg" as the government; its "approved" scientists and academics (you pick the university and you'd probably guess correctly); Non-Government Organizatin (NGO); etc already know that, TRADE = NIS. Check your email...

Later,
Jim.
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CSRAJim

Master Jim, the mystic magister
you summon blisters, on the tongues of AR twisters ^_^

My mail was empty only spam and reptile newsletters in there. I realized that I have not updated my kingsnake profile since 2002 though. If you tried to reach me on my old mail; obeligz@c2i.net I haven´t recieved your message.
I dun wish to post my mail here but I updated my kingsnake account.
Anyone who has tried to each me through my old account lately, please resend your mail to the new one.

I will be checking my mail then, or thinking about it. ^_^

Thank you
oby

Oby,

I "clicked" on your name on your forum post...I guess it's somewhere out there in cyberspace...Perhaps an "evolved" coachroach will read it a 1,000 years from now...Ha! Ha!

Click on my name & send me an email...I'll respond back to you.

Later,
Jim.
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CSRAJim