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

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-20593

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Proposed Rule
- **Published:** August 5, 1997
- **Citation:** 62 FR 42091

## Text

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-20593. Public record. Not legal advice.