Purpose: to establish an improved Federal regulatory process (one that is preemptive and proactive instead of knee-jerk and after-the-fact!) for the importation of living non-native animals in order to prevent economic and environmental harm as well as harm to human or animal health
Definitions: The bill contains 15 definitions. As an example, I pulled the below directly from the bill online.
"(4) IMPORT- The term ‘import’ means to bring into, or introduce into, or attempt to bring into, or introduce into, any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, regardless of whether the bringing into or introduction constitutes an importation within the meaning of the customs laws of the United States."
A major component of this section of the bill is defining the exempt domesticated species...basically it exempts the most common pet species. The government isn't going to come and knock on a person's door and require that they give up their dog, cat, goat, gerbil, etc. (See bill for a complete list!). The emphasis of this bill is on wild animals, not domesticated or farm species!
A section is devoted to the "Proposals for regulation of Nonnative Wildlife Taxa...basically it does in depth on how all species are to be regulated. this regulation process will be a rigorous and well-defined proposal process.
A HUGELY important facet of this bill is devoted to the listing process (See Sec 5. Scientific Risk Assessment and Risk Determination Regulations in HR 5864): This establishes a flexible two-tiered injurious species listing process. Building on the pre-existing Lacey Act (sets "injuriousness standards in 18 USC sec. 42.), Injurious I and Injurious II is based on a clear and risk assessment and risk determination process. For more details Sec. 5 of HR 5864
Ok so I don't want to overwhelm people on this! I'll continue to breakdown the bill a little more over the next week.
BOTTOM LINE: We need to be proactive and preventive so we can save ourselves money and our natural heritage!
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