[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: New Rule Will Limit Importation of Puppies for Resale in the United States
- From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
- To: gsd showlist <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 15:27:54 -0700
We've been waiting for this for 5 years. The law was passed in 2007,
and they are just now putting the regulations out for public comment.
I don't know if my eyes can take reading it all, but I'm going to try!
Stormy Hope
GDSCA Legislation Liaison
On Sep 2, 2011, at 3:21 PM, SallyHH31@xxxxxxx wrote:
Thats the best news I have heard today. :)
SallyHH
-----Original Message-----
From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
To: gsd showlist <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, Sep 2, 2011 3:18 pm
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] New Rule Will Limit Importation of Puppies for
Resale in the United States
From: "AKC's Government Relations Department" <mba@xxxxxxx>
Date: September 2, 2011 12:40:50 PM PDT
Subject: New Rule Will Limit Importation of Puppies for Resale in the
United States
September 2, 2011
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_idD74
Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture?s Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) distributed proposed rules
that provide guidance to federal agencies tasked with enforcing a 2008
law that amends the federal Animal Welfare Act. This measure limits
the importation of dogs under the age of 6 months into the United
States for the purpose of resale. The proposed rule is necessary to
implement this law and further ensure the health and welfare of
America?s dogs. The AKC believes the proposed regulations, as written,
are a reasonable interpretation of the statute.
HISTORY:
As far back as 2007, the AKC Government Relations Department worked
with members of Congress and federal agencies to ensure the
reasonableness of parts of the federal agricultural authorization (the
?farm bill?) that impact dogs. Since the bill became law in 2008 as
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, the AKC has continued to work
with APHIS to ensure that any proposed regulation that focuses on dogs
ensures the health and safety of American dogs and the wellbeing of
the dog-owning public.
Strong enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act as amended law is
supported by the American Kennel Club and other animal welfare
organizations, recognizing that a large number of puppies are being
bred overseas and imported into the United States in order to bypass
the welfare regulations and standards required of American breeders.
In many cases, irresponsibly bred and undocumented foreign puppies end
up at shelters, rescues or other informal or unregulated retail
venues. Diseases borne by such animals can create public health issues
for both animal and human populations.
WHAT THE PROPOSAL DOES:
The new regulations provide specific guidelines needed by US Customs
to prevent the continued ?dumping? of unregulated foreign puppies for
resale onto US markets. The underlying law (7 U.S.C. 2133) defines
resale to include ?any transfer of ownership or control of an imported
dog of less than 6 months to another person, for more than de minimis
consideration.?
Specifically, the rules ?prohibit the importation of dogs from any
part of the world into the continental United States or Hawaii for
purposes of resale, research or veterinary treatment, unless the dogs
are in good health, have received all necessary vaccines and are at
least 6 months of age?.
Dogs intended for resale, research, or veterinary treatment may be
allowed into the U.S. as long as they obtain an import permit from
APHIS, import that dog within 30 days of the proposed import date
stated on the permit, and abide by other requirements including:
? The dog is not younger than 6 months of age.
? Dogs imported into the United States for resale, research, or
veterinary treatment must be accompanied by an import permit issued by
APHIS. This would help ensure that the requirements for importing
dogs are understood and met by the importer.
? Detailed health and rabies vaccination certificates are provided
for each dog imported into the United States. The certificates must
be in English and signed by a licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian
must provide his license number on the certificate. By providing proof
of having received vaccinations necessary to protect against
distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, parainfluenza?DHLPP?and
rabies, personnel at a port of entry will be able to best determine
that each dog is in good health for importation.
? Improved identification and tracking requirements. Under the
regulation, importers and exporters are required to provide personal
identification and contact information and detailed information for
each dog imported. This will help APHIS to determine whether dogs are
eligible for importation, to identify dogs at a port of entry, and to
contact appropriate parties if any questions arise concerning the
importation.
The proposed rule also provides sanctions for those who attempt to
import dogs without complying. In addition to penalties already
available under the Animal Welfare Act, non-complying importers will
be required to provide for the cost of care (including appropriate
veterinary care), forfeiture, and adoption of the dog, at his or her
expense. This will help ensure the welfare of dogs imported into the
U.S., serve as a punishment for violators, and provide a deterrent
against potential non-compliance.
The import permit does not guarantee entry into the US, and any dog
may be refused entry for non-compliance with requirements.
WHAT THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT DO:
These proposed rules do not prohibit individuals from bringing foreign
dogs into the United States for their own use or breeding programs,
nor target certain breeders for undue hardship.
For further details and to view the proposed regulations, click here.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2009-0053-0001
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until October 31,
2011. If you would like to comment, please click here go to the
Federal eRulemaking Portal and click ?Submit a Comment?.
For more information, contact:
? Dr. Gerald Rushin, Veterinary Medical Officer
Animal Care, APHIS
4700 River Road Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone (301) 734-0954
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