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HR 669 Forum

Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act – HR 669

Current Situation:

HR 669 is still in its early stages and PIJAC has in no way ever insinuated that HR 669 is "dead". It is clear that Committee members from both sides of the aisle heard from the pet-owning public about their concerns with this bill. PIJAC will continue working with members of the Committee and their staff, the Executive Branch, and other stakeholders to ensure the process proceeds in a transparent, inclusive, and strategic manner.

HR 669 as written contains many of the problematic provisions found in last year’s bill, plus even more restrictive provisions.

PIJAC's Position:

We support development of a strategic, risk-based process to prevent the introduction of invasive species (harmful nonnative species) into the US.
We do not support the current drafting of HR 669. The bill fails to be strategic in that it does not adequately take socio-economic issues and risk management options into account, requires funds and staffing not currently available to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, would have a substantial economic impact on the pet and other industries, and could result in the mass release and/or euthanasia of pets.
We believe that a constructive risk-based process could be developed and implemented in a timely manner. We need a process that strategically takes into account scientific, socio-economic, animal welfare, resource management, and human and institutional issues.
We the pet industry are eager/willing to work with you (Congress) to craft such legislation.

As expected, there has been strong reaction to the introduction of HR 669; PIJAC is working to quell any panic until specific and unified action needed. In the mean time, please note:

PIJAC has been working this issue since well before HR 669 was introduced and has been tracking this process for almost one year.
PIJAC has been meeting with House of Representatives staff responsible for managing this process, and specifically working on HR 669.
PIJAC has been meeting with senior US Fish and Wildlife Service officials responsible for policy as well as implementation of the invasive species laws.
PIJAC has created a Coalition involving trade associations and others representing a wide variety of potentially affected industries (i.e. pet industry, food aquaculture, zoos/aquariums, and game ranches).
The Coalition is critically analyzing the bill; developing messaging points; and planning to develop a policy position paper.
People need to remain calm throughout the process and to recognize that this is only the beginning of a long process.
IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT ALL SEGMENTS OF THE PET INDUSTRY ARE PERCEIVED AS HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS PROCESS. IF PERCEIVED OTHERWISE, WE WILL LOSE OUR CREDIBILITY AND WITHOUT OUR CREDIBILITY, OUR COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL VOICES WILL HAVE LITTLE TO NO IMPACT.
Petitions are nowhere as effective as well crafted letters addressing key points in the legislation. Please wait until more information is posted here on the PIJAC HR 669 Forum.

UPDATES:

A hearing for HR 669, the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, was held in front of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife on Thursday, April 23. Marshall Meyers, PIJAC's CEO and General Counsel, representing pet owners and the pet industry, testified against the bill in its current form, explaining why, if passed, it could have devastating affects on pet owners, and the pet industry.

Information related to HR 669:

CLICK HERE to read PIJAC's written testimony submitted to the Committee.
CLICK HERE to read PIJAC's PetAlert on HR 669
CLICK HERE to go to the Subcommittee's information page about the hearing (including archived video, list of witnesses, and all submitted testimony).
CLICK HERE to read the full text of HR 669.
CLICK HERE to see a list of members of the US House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans & Wildlife.
PIJAC thanks pet owners, hobbyists, and others who care. (Click to read. REVISED May 12, 2009.)

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Additional Information:

Please CLICK HERE to read PIJAC's 2008 testimony opposing HR 6311 in front of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.

Please CLICK HERE for more information on the pet industry's historical position regarding non-native wildlife in the pet trade.