What I find more concerning is the US Senate Bill SB 1153 and its companion bill in the House of Representatives HB 996 which directs the Director of Fish and Wildlife and the Secretary of Interior to establish an improved regulatory process for injurious wildlife to prevent the introduction and establishment in the United States of nonnative wildlife and wild animal pathogens and parasites that are likely to cause harm "to humans or animals". Defines "nonnative wildlife taxon" in general as any family, genus, species or subspecies of live animal that is not native to the U.S., regardless of whether the animal was born or raised in captivity. Exempt from the term nonnative wildlife taxon are several common and clearly domesticated species including: cats, dogs, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, goldfish, hamsters, and rabbits. With the broad wording being used this can easily be used to prevent not only coral imports but also coral propagation. I am reminded of the proposed USDA regulations a few years ago in response to bird flu fears that if implemented would have required EVERY domestic bird in the US to be registered and permits required prior to moving it with a $1000 per day per bird fine. An obvious first candidate if these bills become law would be all of the order zoantheria because of the possible risk of a species or specimen having palytoxin.
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