I apologize for such a lengthy post....
You will not see it until the new improved HR669 comes out, that's the way they want it.
That's the way things work. You can't release an unfinished bill. Thats like the bootleg release of the wolverine movie not having special effects. Your missing the most important parts.
The new and improved HR669 will go something like this:
Small breeders will not be able to breed, sell, trade, import, export, or ship any reptiles. Only larger breeders that have an on the premises herp vet will be able to do so. Also USDA and USFW must inspect them and approve the facility, caging, care etc. The animals produced will only be shipped to pet stores, zoos and animal education facilities.
As stated above, NRIP Accreditation is based upon a Plan Participant's adherence to the standards contained in the program. Accreditation is achieved through self-regulation and inspection that may be verified by a veterinarian, or a state department of agriculture and/or the United States Department of Agriculture veterinarian with an understanding in the handling and care of reptiles and amphibians.
Ok.... these are two completely different documents, two completely different things. NRIP is NOT HR669. HR669 would be a LAW that would be LEGALLY REQUIRED to follow. NRIP is pretty much a guideline program that is VOLUNTARY, and helps make your business look better if you get certified.
I simply wont agree because i personally feel the fee to be a member, to register for the program, and to be acredited is FAR TOO HIGH. Sorry But The hobbyists will be turned away because of this, and i wont support it with those fees as they stand.
USARK stated what they think, and they are fighting for us, why is it that PIJAC is so slow to do the same?
Did you ever even watch, or listen, or read the HR669 hearing? They did a pretty good job of stating what they think, and they are doing a pretty good job of helping us, as well as other areas of business and hobby that involve "exotic" animals. Not just herps.
Why do people think any industry automatically needs federal regulation? What this country needs is LESS federal regulations and to allow individual states to govern themselves they way things were meant to be.
I do agree that we could use some sort of federal regulation, BUT ONLY A VERY MINIMAL AMOUNT. I do want the states to set up their own laws and rules and regulations, but without some sort of central set of guidelines and networking, it would be quite confusing. Example: All of the states having their own currency back in the day.
As long as the feds don't try taking over or even exerting control over the "industry," I think it could be ok.
They will claim it's for the sake of protecting their industry, when in reality the law proposed would be an effort to reduce competition across the board by putting those smaller companies out of business via regulation and red tape.
Really, why would they do that? Most "big businesses" need the smaller buisnesses to survive! Think of it in terms offff.... lets say oscar ball park franks. Yes, they are a big company, but if they didn't have restaurants and small ball parks, as well as big ball parks, buying their products, do you think they would survive?
Without the small guy buying, their is no big guy to sell.
I agree with Rich totally on this point. If the government really wanted to protect people they would outlaw cigarettes.
Honestly, I think that is why they are slowly raising taxes on tobacco products.
I mean, if they just outlawed them, straight out, do you know what kind of hell would take place in this country? That's how many hundreds of thousands of people in this country having nic fits at the same time. That's the equivelant to 100 woman PMSing..... scary....
PJAC will help, but we have to fight to save ourselves.
We are all in the same boat together.
What this all boils down to is that there is a ton of misinformation being thrown out there and people passing blaim on those that really don't deserve it because they are afraid. Hell, I'll admit. I'm afraid. I was planning on starting a business this summer breeding different species of geckos and snakes. That will throw that whole thing out the window. Even if that doesn't work out, I'd still have a hobby, right? Well yea, but it would make things a hell of alot harder. But do you see that I am not passing blaim?
What I see is multiple organizations coming out to help us as a whole, and we are falling apart as people. We do need to come together, as everyone else has said. Bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, mammal, and everything else keepers, breeders, and hobbyists need to come together as one and rise up against the governemtn with such strength that we cannot be ignored. Let us take the help that organizations such as PIJAC or USARK (prolly spelled it wrong), so as to have more strength behind us. No one can deny that HR669 will comeback, but when it does, we must all stand as a single entity and fight! STOP HATING EACH OTHER! WE DON'T NEED IT RIGHT NOW!
