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WASHINGTON, DC- This week, at the Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Republican Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC), spoke in strong opposition to legislation that would seriously damage the pet shop industry and put hundreds more Americans out of their jobs. During the hearing, Congressman Brown made the following statement:
“Madam Chairwoman, I think we can all agree that it is essential to prevent the introduction of any and all potentially harmful, nonnative animals and plants into our ecosystem. In fact, in my state of South Carolina, we are spending a great deal of money trying to control non-native species like the Asian Tiger Mosquitoes, Flathead Catfish, Green Porcelain Crabs and, since 1981, we have spent over $18 million to control nuisance aquatic plants like Hydrilla.
During the past few weeks, like many members of this subcommittee, I have received countless constituent calls, emails and letters in strong opposition to H.R. 669, a bill that would, yes, put a block on all invasive species, but would have the adverse effect of, as the President and CEO of Wild Creations in Myrtle Beach put it, 'negatively affecting veterinarians, feed stores, pet care providers and over 8,000 pet stores in the US alone.'
The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species, also located Myrtle Beach, writes that, 'If H. R. 669 where to become law in its current form the majority of our activities would become criminal.'
'What H. R. 669 will primarily accomplish is the cessation of trade in almost all nonnative species until the USFWS can conduct thousands of risk assessments. The economic damage to the aquaculture industry could potentially be enormous,' said Dr. John MacMillan, President of the National Aquaculture Association.
Finally, the President of the American Tilapia Association writes, 'H. R. 669 is unworkable in a practicable manner and would result in the closure of all tilapia fish farms, as well as many other food fish species in the United States. Hundreds of millions of pounds of fish production would be lost as well as tens of thousands of jobs in the US ranging from fish producers to wholesalers.'
Madam Chairwoman, this is only a small sample of the outrage we have all heard from most every state across America. Why would we support this legislation in its current form as it would shut down small businesses across the United States during a time when so many of our constituents are suffering because of the loss of their homes or jobs.
While the current Lacey Act may not be working, this legislation is not the answer. Instead, I suggest that we work together in a bipartisan manner to enhance and improve the current listing process for harmful wildlife. In addition, I recommend that instead of encouraging the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop an approved list, which requires proof that a non-native animal would not cause harm throughout the United States, an 'unapproved' or 'black' list approach would remove harmful invasive species without destroying the entire pet industry."
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