I have printed out the entire bill and am trying to wade through it, as
time permimts. For anyone who hasn't done that, it ends up as 6 pages
of tiny print. And of course, is about as obtuse as possible in the
wording. Circling back on itself, over and over. So far, it's
portions of Section 6 that concern me.
SEC. 6. PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES.
(a) Prohibitions- Except as provided in this section or in section 7,
it is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States to--
(1) import into or export from the United States any nonnative wildlife
species that is not included in the list of approved species issued
under section 4;
(2) transport between any State by any means whatsoever any nonnative
wildlife species that is not included in the list of approved species
issued under section 4;
(3) violate any term or condition of a permit issued under section 7;
(4) possess (except as provided in section 3(f)), sell or offer to
sell, purchase or offer to purchase, or barter for or offer to barter
for, any nonnative wildlife species that is prohibited from being
imported under paragraph (1);
(5) release into the wild any nonnative wildlife species that is
prohibited from being imported under paragraph (1); or
(6) breed any nonnative wildlife species that is prohibited from being
imported under paragraph (1), or provide any such species to another
person for breeding purposes.
As for a ban on importation and even on breeding, I'm all for that.
But I'm afraid this whole bill goes much deeper than that. Number 2
and number 4 are of special concern. We all know, parrots are already
on the list that cannot be imported. They have been since the early
90's. I doubt, and hope they don't, change them to the list that is
acceptable to import. So, if they remain on the prohibited list, what
does 2 and 4 mean to us? If we move, are we not allowed to take our
parrots with us across state lines? If we are no longer able to care
for them, or when they outlive us, can they not be handed over to
someone who can care for them?
In section 7, permits; please also notice that it's all okay if the
prohibited species is to be used for "scientific and medical reseach".
We can't have them as pets but it's okay for the government if they
want them to experiment with?
Granted, I'm far from absorbing most of this and may never get my head
wrapped around all of it. But for now, and as far as I do understand
any of it, this goes far beyond just the stopping of importing these
animals. There is too much wording that sounds pretty sinister to me
since it can be interpreted pretty much any way the polititians
choose. My stand at this point in my interpretation of it is, I am
totally against it being passed, as currently worded.
If the only intent of this bill is to stop importation, and put
serious, well enforced limitations on breeding, I'm all for it. But
I'm afraid, as with most things governmental. it goes much further than
that.
Anyone who understands it otherwise, by all means, please share with
us. I'm wanting to hear and review all opinions and intrepretations.
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