Reptile & Amphibian Forums

USARK has secured a meeting with Senator Bill Nelson's office for Friday August 7, 2009 in West Palm Beach. We will be asking Senator Nelson to understand that S373, the Python Ban, will hurt thousands of his constituents and create significant problems for the entire United States if passed as written.

If passed as written S373 will BAN the IMPORT, EXPORT and INTERSTATE COMMERCE of ALL Pythons. This is not a Florida issue. It is a federal bill in the US Senate. This is about the BAN of ALL pythons nationwide... from ball pythons on up. We believe that this bill will move in September following the August recess. The only question is what Senator Nelson might do to amend the bill prior to that time. We are optimistic that he will listen to our well thought out position. You can be sure that USARK will fight tooth and nail to defend the ENTIRE python community.

Update HR2811 (House companion to S373):

USARK continues to work with the Judiciary Committee and the bill's sponsors to further amend the bill to allow the captive bred trade in Burms and Afrocks to continue. Our policy staff has crafted language that, if accepted, would protect trade and investment in these animals. PIJAC contacted USARK yesterday with suggestions for amendment of the bill. We welcome the pet industry's desire to become engaged on this issue. We will review this proposal to ensure that it is consistent with our position. We are open to creating a second option. Whatever the final decision is, the solution must be simple, effective and protect the interests of the captive bred trade in Burms and Afrocks. We thank PIJAC for their interest and hope their proposal may prove helpful.

Click here to donate $10 with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med
usark.org/donate.php

Click here to Join The Reptile Nation with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med
www.usark.org/join.php

Send questions to president@usark.org

-----
Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

>>USARK has secured a meeting with Senator Bill Nelson's office for Friday August 7, 2009 in West Palm Beach. We will be asking Senator Nelson to understand that S373, the Python Ban, will hurt thousands of his constituents and create significant problems for the entire United States if passed as written.
>>
>>If passed as written S373 will BAN the IMPORT, EXPORT and INTERSTATE COMMERCE of ALL Pythons. This is not a Florida issue. It is a federal bill in the US Senate. This is about the BAN of ALL pythons nationwide... from ball pythons on up. We believe that this bill will move in September following the August recess. The only question is what Senator Nelson might do to amend the bill prior to that time. We are optimistic that he will listen to our well thought out position. You can be sure that USARK will fight tooth and nail to defend the ENTIRE python community.
>>
>>Update HR2811 (House companion to S373):
>>
>>USARK continues to work with the Judiciary Committee and the bill's sponsors to further amend the bill to allow the captive bred trade in Burms and Afrocks to continue. Our policy staff has crafted language that, if accepted, would protect trade and investment in these animals. PIJAC contacted USARK yesterday with suggestions for amendment of the bill. We welcome the pet industry's desire to become engaged on this issue. We will review this proposal to ensure that it is consistent with our position. We are open to creating a second option. Whatever the final decision is, the solution must be simple, effective and protect the interests of the captive bred trade in Burms and Afrocks. We thank PIJAC for their interest and hope their proposal may prove helpful.
>>
>>Click here to donate $10 with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med
>>usark.org/donate.php
>>
>>Click here to Join The Reptile Nation with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med
>>www.usark.org/join.php
>>
>>Send questions to president@usark.org
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Andrew Wyatt
>>President USARK
>>
>>

I think that if stopping Burms and african rocks from being imported is the only thing we are sacrificing that is 100% acceptable. Taking a hard-line approach where we`re not willing to compromise at all will be detrimental to everyone. Aren`t there enough Burms,Rocks and Balls for that matter in the country already ? If they let us keep, breed, and sell our pythons across state lines and all we have to give up is importation...I feel that is MORE than fair.
-----
Mark Petros Reptiles
BallPython777.com

>>Aren`t there enough Burms,Rocks and Balls for that matter in the country already ? If they let us keep, breed, and sell our pythons across state lines and all we have to give up is importation...I feel that is MORE than fair.

You have to remember that new morphs and bloodlines come from other countries as well. This can mean no animals from private collections in Canada, Europe or Asia. I know the jungle boas came from Sweden and squaretail and marrons are coming from Germany.
I agree to no wild caught imports from countries of origin, but not in the case of captive bred animals coming from countries where there are no wild populations of the species in question.

None of this is actaully FAIR. It is not fair to punish the many for the actions of a few. It is not fair to use fictional statistics and half-a$$ research to gain grant money and push an agenda. It is not fair (nor democracy) for a government to tell a "free" nation what is good for you and try to push this legislation through with scare tactics, misinformation and keeping it under the public radar. If more people knew what they are trying to do, more would care. The more that care, the more that speak up.

No, this is far from fair. If it was, the big dogs and horse folks would've been in our shoes years ago. Dangerous and invasive. But no one needs permits to own or breed and feral populations have been established. Look to the NC outer banks and the horses there. They are invasive. Just look in your back yard/neighborhood to see the feral canines and feline.