Regulatory Updates
USDA/APHIS
Agency Information Collection Request Regarding Interstate Movement of Certain Species of Land Tortoises APHIS is seeking approval from OMB to collect information regarding the interstate movement of leopard, African spurred, and Bell’s hingeback tortoises to ensure they pose no risk of spreading exotic ticks within the United States. Information would be collected from known Private and Commercial Animal Breeders, and Veterinarians. Comments on the request are due by May 4, 2023. The Federal Register notice of the request may be found here and comments may be submitted here.
Advance Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Regulations For Handling Wild And Exotic Animals For Exhibition, Environmental Enrichment Requirements Deadline for submitting comments on the Advance Notice was APRIL 10, 2023. All public comments may be reviewed here.
USFWS
CITES Trade Suspension – All Commercial Trade in CITES species with Mexico The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the CITES Secretariat issued CITES Notification No. 2023/037 on March 27, 2023, announcing the trade suspension for all commercial trade with Mexico, effective immediately. All shipments containing CITES specimens traded for commercial purposes under an import permit, export permit, or re-export certificate issued by Mexico for the species, are subject to enforcement action. Learn more here.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Big Cat Public Safety Act Registration The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing emergency clearance of a new collection of information related to registration of animals that qualify under the “grandfather” clause of the BCPSA. That clause allows current owners of big cats at the time of enactment of the BCPSA who do not qualify for other exceptions, e.g. USDA Class C licensees, to keep their big cats. However, they must register with the Service by June 18, 2023, are not allowed to breed, acquire, or sell big cats; and cannot allow direct contact between the public and their big cats. This Notice lays out the proposed registration form and content. Public comment on the Notice is due by May 19, 2023. Learn more here. Note that the US FWS has begun registering “grandfathered” owners under the BCPSA. Learn more here.
Notification of Petition Findings And Initiation Of Status Review under the ESA on Hippos Click here to view 90-day findings on petitions to add four species as Endangered or Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, including the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius). In response to a petition by the Humane Society of the United States and others the USFWS announced the listing of hippos under the ESA may be warranted and is initiating a formal review. The public is invited to submit scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors that may affect their status.