Humane and Healthful Transport of Wild Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians to the United States; Notice of Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 14

RIN 1018-AD98

Humane and Healthful Transport of Wild Mammals, Birds, Reptiles

and Amphibians to the United States; Notice of Extension of Comment

Period on Proposed Rule

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), pursuant to the Lacey

Act Amendments of 1981, provides notice of extension of the comment

period for the proposed amendment of 50 CFR Part 14, covering the

humane and healthful transport of wild mammals, birds, reptiles and

amphibians to the United States. The comment period has been extended

so that interested members of the public can review the proposal and

offer comments to the Service.

DATES: The comment period, which originally closed on September 4,

1997, is now extended to close on October 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Director, U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, c/o Office of Management Authority either by mail

4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 430, Arlington, VA 22203 or by fax (703)

358-2280.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bruce J. Weissgold, Office of

Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, telephone (703)

358-2095, fax (703) 358-2280.

[[Page 42092]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

Comments and other information can also be sent via electronic mail

(E-mail) to: [email protected].

Background

On Friday, June 6, 1997, the Service published in the Federal

Register (62 FR 31044) a proposed rule announcing the Service's

intention to amend 50 CFR part 14 subpart J to further implement the

requirements of the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42 (c)). The Lacey Act

prohibits the importation into the United States of all wild animals

and birds under inhumane or unhealthful conditions, and requires that

the United States Government promulgate regulations governing the

importation of wildlife. On June 17, 1992, the Service finalized (57 FR

27094) the rules contained in 50 CFR part 14 subpart J, establishing

rules for the humane and healthful transport of wild mammals and birds

to the United States.

To more fully implement the amendments of the Lacey Act, which

requires the healthful and humane transport of all classes of wild

animals and birds and the promulgation of regulations necessary to that

end, the Service proposes to extend 50 CFR part 14 subpart J to include

rules for the healthful and humane transport of reptiles and

amphibians. Furthermore, many reptiles and amphibians are species

included in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Parties to

CITES have adopted a resolution that calls for all CITES-listed species

to be packed and shipped in accordance with the International Air

Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations. Therefore, the

proposed rule would place these internationally accepted standards into

the Code of Federal Regulations for reptiles and amphibians.

For this, and other reasons discussed in the June 6, 1997 Federal

Register, the Service is proposing amendments to 50 CFR Part 14

concerning humane and healthful transport of reptiles and amphibians

into the United States.

Public Comments Solicited

On July 22, 1997 the Service received a request from Underground

Reptiles to extend the comment period on this proposed rule by 30 days

``so that various reptile and amphibian importers, shippers, and

hobbyists can meet to review the proposal, gather data regarding

shipments and submit meaningful comments.'' On July 23, 1997, the

Service received a similar letter from Reptile Masters, Inc. Due to the

complexity of the proposed rule, the need for data gathering by

potential commenters, and the expressed interest of members of the

public, the Service is extending the comment period and solicits

comments from all interested parties. All comments received by the date

specified above will be considered in the Service's final decision.

Authority

The authority for this action is the Lacey Act, as amended (18

U.S.C. 42 (c)).

Dated: July 30, 1997.

Marshall P. Jones, Jr.

Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 97-20593 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]

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