Non-Native Species Legislative Proposals
BY LAURELLA DESBOROUGH
Copyright Laurella Desbrough (eclectusbreeder.com).
All rights reserved by the author.
Bird breeders should be
monitoring the
legislative proposals in
their states. Breeders
who participate in an
organization that
actively monitors
proposed legislation
will have some warning
about impending
restrictions. Breeders
who are not affiliated
with such an
organization need to
take action to protect
their interests by
monitoring the
activities of the state
legislators during the
period when the
legislature is in
session.
Legitimate concerns for
the introduction of
non-native species into
lakes, streams and the
countryside have given
rise to proposals for
restricting or
prohibiting non-native
species. Although many
bird breeders may not
know it, the English
sparrow and the starling
were imported from
England and now have
established large
populations throughout
the United States, often
displacing such native
species as the eastern
bluebird and the purple
martin. The aggressive
starlings have pushed
out the native species
by usurping their nest
sites.
Legislators are
preparing overinclusive
prohibited lists of
animals under this type
of legislation that may
include fish, reptiles,
birds and animals. Some
states propose so-called
clean lists, which allow
the listed animals but
disallow any nonlisted
animals. Some of these
laws are proposed in
cities and counties, as
well as at the state
level. Marshall Meyers,
general counsel for the
Pet Industry Joint
Advisory Council,
stated, "...virtually
every animal other than
a dog or cat technically
falls in the
'non-native' category."
If you discover proposed
legislation in your
area, work with others
to educate the
legislators about the
lack of threat posed by
exotic birds.
