HR669 - Page 1

The country is in an economic crisis, and Congress mulls over passing The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act to protect us from the breeders of hampsters, gerbils and parakeets.
 
And here I thought they were only going after dog breeders...

http://nohr669.com/index.htm

I don't have time to go find the bill to read in its entirety to let you know what the real purpose of the bill is. You did not do that either but will post a sensationalized comment about it being something to prevent the poor average Joe from breeding gerbils and hamsters. That is crap. Just for starters, let me ask you if you have any idea, for example, about the kinds of problems that non-native species can bring when introduced into an ecological system?

It is, once again, an example of looking at a web site that clearly has a specific agenda to promote and not doing your homework. This is not about keeping people from breeding animals that belong on this continent, or in your state or mine. But it might well be that such legislation will help prevent the indigenous wildlife from becoming extinct or threatened. Such programs also exist for plant species.

Unfortunately, such legislation was too late in some cases. For example, one of the reasons so much water is lost from the Colorado River is that a non-indigenous species of plant was brought into the country and now chokes every waterway in the American Southwest removing a precious resource that is critical to the success of the native species, let alone humans living in the areas and far beyond.

Certain types of fish and amphibians have been released by "pet" owners into American waterways and now have changed the ecological balance in given rivers and lakes,  effectively removing important indigenous species. The problem can be a very, very severe one. Another example is the introduction of the African Honey Bee into Brazil. The Brazilians were trying to find a way to enhance the production of honey from the indigenous bees. Unfortunately, the African species escaped, bred with Brazilian honey bees and the rest is history. They have migrated so far and wide that they now extend well into the American southwest. They are very, very dangerous bees and are very aggressive to attack and can easily kill anyone they sting. There are plenty of other debacles I could mention, such as rabbits being introduced into the Australian landmass.

Might be a good idea to not be so overly dramatic about what the bill might and might not prevent and why it has even been proposed until you read it. When one talks about economic crisis, it is wise to think of such crisis' that might arise with non-indigenous species taking over delicately balanced ecological systems.

Think about it.

Some other good examples: Dutch elm disease, which has killed off nearly all the magnificent American elms which used to line city streets.

Chestnut blight, which has caused our native chestunut tree to become extinct, or very nearly so.

Starlings and sparrows, which have cause a serious decline in the populations of once common native birds such as bluebirds and house wrens.

Various species of rats and mice which were accidentally introduced, and cause millions of dollars of damage annually.

Hamsters are rodents too...you want to give them a chance to start multiplying as well? 

 Excellent examples Sunsilver. The American elm truly was magnificent. We suffer from Dutch Elm disease here in my state.

There are others, such as snakes introduced in Guam that killed off native bird species. Rats that populate NYC are not the indigenous variety and now some are as big as cats.

We have only mentioned flora and some fauna, but insects too can wreak havoc on a crop. Such bills, when backed by SOUND science, are critical to all nations of the earth.

Can anyone say KUDZU? The vine that ate the south?  Those grass carp that are about to decimate the fishing industry in the great lakes? Non-native ferrets that are wiping out the native black-footed ferret? Boas and pythons taking over the everglades?

Okie,

Also excellent examples and evidence for ecosystems out of balance. But remember, the government is trying to "tread" on you!! Therefore, take any kind of crap posted on the internet that suggests this is their motive, don't read the legislation, and continue to spread the misinformation. After all, that is the American and PDB way!

Here in Ohio last year a couple of bills were about to be put into place.A guy with NPCR registry stepped in and hired a lobbist to help us.After a battle which was down to the wire the bill was defeated.I would say to anyone who needs help.Shoot me a PM and I can get you his contact info