In Sec. 17 Relationship to Other Federal Laws, the writing makes clear that this new law would NOT change any federal laws already in existence that relate to live animal imports that impact human health, farm animal health, food safety or animals that are used in biological control projects.
And Sec. 18 Requirements to Promulgate Regulations directs the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate (to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation (a law, decree of a court, etc.) regulations as necessary to carry out the Act.
Now you might ask is there proof that a preventive and proactive system such as this is worth it...does it work? Well there are other countries that have successful pre-screening programs in place. These include Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.
Now if you start researching the topic of live import animals and legislation, you will likely come across a bill that was introduced in 2009 known as HR 669 (The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act). This did not have the support it needed to pass for numerous reasons I won't go into. One of the great things about the current proposed bill is that it took the feedback given on HR 669 into consideration but it still has teeth to accomplish effective change!
Tune in next time when I tackle the issue of raising your voice in support of this or any bill you choose!
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