I don't think it would work at least not for long if at all, there are already many ports of entry located in the US, Many in Northern locations. Portland, Boston ...............
NY might already be the largest in terms of just live reptile numbers being cleared but not overall live exotic imports. I don't know the exact numbers but I think Miami is still number one overall in combined numbers plants, fish, reptiles. A lot of reptiles that end up in Miami are actually cleared in NY and then shipped down.
Because of the Florida climate Miami has the greatest "risk" if you want to call it that. From that persecutive closing Miami as a port of entry for the live animal trade would at least be a feel good measure. This might buy some time and anything is better then nothing but,
What we're seeing is very strategic attack against the industry and the major ports of entry, Miami, NY, California are already coming under fire. Lots of things that are being proposed are designed to shut down interstate transit between private owners and business's and not just the international trade.
Its more then having a US port of entry, these various ports are key places and major distribution centers for the trade. Buy virtue of location they are very important to the business. There are many logistical reasons involved. Time in transit, flight availability, flight routing, freight cost, market location, etc., things that people who aren't directly involved might not understand. Things that the people going after the trade have definitely considered.
The idea behind the attack on the industry is not to find a workable solution or a plan to minimize risk, they are not looking to be reasoned with. Nobody on that side wants to find a sensible solution. They want to shut the trade down period, why would closing a port of entry satisfy them? If these groups and their supporters get their way you wont be able to transport anything anyway. I don't think its wrong to try and come up with "deals" but you have to really consider what it is your dealing away and who you are dealing with, The people to be bargained with in this case ...............don't need to or want to make deals, they also have no reson to stick to them. Permits and micro chips was the deal here in Florida, everyone liked that idea...............but it appears that its going to end up being nothing more then speed bump to the anti trade/anti ownership/save the environment agenda. I think the best hope for the trade and private owners is they are really have to stand up and make some noise and a lot of it.
ERNIE EISON
WESTWOOD ACRES REPTILE FARM INC.
