Bill Introduced to Control Invasive Wildlife Imports

The Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act, which would change how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is able to designate injurious species, and thereby prevent their importation, was reintroduced July 12. The bill, H.R. 6362, was introduced in the Senate by Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and in the House of Representatives by Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. The same bill had been sponsored in the House by Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., in a previous session (see 1607110067). Slaughter died in office this year.

The species that are currently listed as injurious wildlife were put on the list by FWS after they started harming the environment. They can only be imported by special permit. "This legislation would address the threat of potentially invasive species before they can be imported into the United States or enter into interstate commerce by establishing a new injurious species listing process that is based on the scientific risk analysis," Stefanik's announcement said. If passed, the law would require FWS to develop a process within three years to evaluate species before they are first imported; it would also require the agency to impose import restrictions, which could include quarantines, shipping and handling requirements and health certifications, to prevent parasites from being introduced, even if the species itself is not injurious.