News from American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc.- Your Action Needed!

2278 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by SmithFamilyLoft, Apr 23, 2009

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · Apr 16, 2009

We have received information regarding proposed HR 669 and are encouraging members to
voice opposition. HR 669 bans import, export, transport, breeding, sale or barter of ALL
nonnative species unless they are placed on an Approved List established by the USFWS (US
Fish & Wildlife Service).

Reptiles, small pet mammals, ornamental aquarium fish, and many pet birds are nonnative
species. As such, they would be considered illegal under this act. Any company manufacturing
or selling product for these pet species would be affected by this act.

HR 669 was introduced by Del Madeleine Bordallo of Guam, the Chair of the Subcommittee
of Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Natural Resources Committee with
the purpose of preventing the import of nonnative species which might be harmful to
humans and to the environment or a nuisance to agriculture or horticulture. To view
HR 669, click here.
While protecting the environment is important, the current bill does not offer the best
solution. NAIA has a very helpful tool on their site to assist with submitting letters and email.
See the link below.

PLEASE CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and voice your
opinion. Send faxes, and emails and call your Congressperson. The hearing for
HR 669 will be held on April 22, so please act fast.

http://capwiz.com/naiatrust/issues/alert/?alertid=13098456

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UncleBuck

· #2 · Apr 17, 2009

Don't rely on others, do it yourself

This is a copy of the letter I sent out. Please cut and paste or write one of your own, but send something. I am afraid too many people will think this does not affect them and do nothing about it. We already have laws in this country to cover most of the concerns and if it is a concern, then the states should do something about it. Look at what Hawaii has done. Thanks

Dear Sir,
I recently became aware of H.R. 669: Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act and it concerns me. I think it just adds another layer to the bureaucracy of the government.
I know you have traveled overseas many times in your distinguished career. As you know, when you come through customs, you are asked about visiting farms, plants, fruits and vegetables. US Customs does a wonderful job a protecting our animal and plant species here in the United States.
If you try to ship in animals, there are numerous forms to be filled out including a veterinarian certificate stating the animal is free of disease.
If this is in reference to the snake-fish or the zebra mussel, it would not have helped at all. There are already laws about releasing non-native species into waterways. Unfortunately the laws we have on the books are not enforced. It seems the answer to everything is new laws, instead of enforcing what is already there.
Another concern is that is allows one person (The Secretary of the Interior) to make a decision. Even though he/she is supposed to use sound scientific advice, we have all seen what happens when someone believes one science is sound over another.
When and if this bill comes up for a vote, please consider not voting for it.

Sincerely,

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welder

· #3 · Apr 17, 2009

Very well written I have already voiced my oppinion and I hope others will ,we are losing our freedoms slowly and it is not right there are other things going on I will not post on here for it does not pertain to our sport so if ya wanna know pm please Kevin

UncleBuck

· #4 · Apr 17, 2009

As an aside, Does anyone know if the National Animal Identification Act has gone away, or are they still pushing it?
How will this affect us as pigeon breeders/owners? Has your state decided to make you permanently exempt from registering your property? Thanks and please remember, if we do not fight this, one more obstacle will be placed in our way to owning birds we love.

Brummie

· #5 · Apr 17, 2009

SmithFamilyLoft said:
We have received information regarding proposed HR 669 and are encouraging members to
voice opposition. HR 669 bans import, export, transport, breeding, sale or barter of ALL
nonnative species unless they are placed on an Approved List established by the USFWS (US
Fish & Wildlife Service).

Reptiles, small pet mammals, ornamental aquarium fish, and many pet birds are nonnative
species. As such, they would be considered illegal under this act. Any company manufacturing
or selling product for these pet species would be affected by this act.

HR 669 was introduced by Del Madeleine Bordallo of Guam, the Chair of the Subcommittee
of Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Natural Resources Committee with
the purpose of preventing the import of nonnative species which might be harmful to
humans and to the environment or a nuisance to agriculture or horticulture. To view
HR 669, click here.
While protecting the environment is important, the current bill does not offer the best
solution. NAIA has a very helpful tool on their site to assist with submitting letters and email.
See the link below.

PLEASE CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and voice your
opinion. Send faxes, and emails and call your Congressperson. The hearing for
HR 669 will be held on April 22, so please act fast.

http://capwiz.com/naiatrust/issues/alert/?alertid=13098456

Warren?This bill will not pass. The consequence's are the literal breakdown of the pet industry. A billion dollar industry.
Look who introduced the bill, a senator from Guam. Who whould have more concern about invassive specie's? mainly Guam and Hawaii.And I can see their point of veiw.
I would not put it past the politician's to support a bill like that, however I feel that in this economic climate. They would not dare mess with our social and economical bond we have with our "pets"

UncleBuck

· #6 · Apr 18, 2009

Brummie said:
Warren?This bill will not pass. The consequence's are the literal breakdown of the pet industry. A billion dollar industry.
Look who introduced the bill, a senator from Guam. Who whould have more concern about invassive specie's? mainly Guam and Hawaii.And I can see their point of veiw.
I would not put it past the politician's to support a bill like that, however I feel that in this economic climate. They would not dare mess with our social and economical bond we have with our "pets"

But are you still going to voice your concerns?

Brummie

· #7 · Apr 18, 2009

UncleBuck said:
But are you still going to voice your concerns?

I have no concern's.The subject is dead in the water.

Brummie

· #8 · Apr 18, 2009

UncleBuck said:
But are you still going to voice your concerns?

T
The same subject has been debated by policitian's and the general public since1954.

TAWhatley

· #9 · Apr 18, 2009

UncleBuck said:
As an aside, Does anyone know if the National Animal Identification Act has gone away, or are they still pushing it?
How will this affect us as pigeon breeders/owners? Has your state decided to make you permanently exempt from registering your property? Thanks and please remember, if we do not fight this, one more obstacle will be placed in our way to owning birds we love.

It was defeated this last time around but probably not dead at this point so best to stay up to date and aware of what's going on.

Terry

TAWhatley

· #10 · Apr 18, 2009

Brummie said:
I have no concern's.The subject is dead in the water.

Carl .. have a read here from Exotic Newcastle Disease here in Southern California .. almost 4 million birds killed and tens of thousands of those were "pet" parrots, pigeons, doves, ducks, geese, quail .. this was a very, very ugy time here, and I lived through it .. if you don't want the "bird Gestapo" in your backyard, you would do well to pay attention.

Have a serious look and a serious read here: http://www.cocka2.com/newcastle/

Terry

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 18, 2009 (Edited)

TAWhatley said:
Carl .. have a read here from Exotic Newcastle Disease here in Southern California .. almost 4 million birds killed and tens of thousands of those were "pet" parrots, pigeons, doves, ducks, geese, quail .. this was a very, very ugy time here, and I lived through it .. if you don't want the "bird Gestapo" in your backyard, you would do well to pay attention.

Have a serious look and a serious read here: http://www.cocka2.com/newcastle/

Terry

Terry,

Right here in south central Penn. a number of years ago, some farmer had a chicken which tested positive. They drew something like a 3 mile circle around this farm, and then killed every poulty type bird within that circle. Now, supposely they have backed away from such radical measures now days, but that does not mean that at some point in the future, something like this will not happen again. Now, if you just happen to have a loft full of pigeons in such a "hot" area....well, what many may have thought was a "dead issue" could very well become a real live issue. I suppose we could simply just bury our heads in the sand, and think to ourselves that it "never would happen here".....well, if an outbreak occurs, they just may kill birds first and ask questions later.

[MN]eXist^_^

· #12 · Apr 21, 2009

Heres a nice Vid on HR669

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FPfL212CB8

For those who can do this thx.

LUCKYT

· #13 · Apr 21, 2009

Sorry, i am with Carl on this one... This has been tried since i was a Little Boy, It will not happen,it is good you are sending Letters Ect. BUT, if i had fought these Bills, that always fail, I would have time for nothing else. Dave

Big T

· #14 · Apr 22, 2009

LUCKYT said:
Sorry, i am with Carl on this one... This has been tried since i was a Little Boy, It will not happen,it is good you are sending Letters Ect. BUT, if i had fought these Bills, that always fail, I would have time for nothing else. Dave

Now you and Carl are funny, You spend time sorting thur comments on this blog but do not have five min for an email on actions that can effect your future. Just bare in mind there are laws on the books that my father swore would never happen. But like bad pennies the bills kept coming back up until one day they passed. The problem with laws is once passed they're hard to get rid of.

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 22, 2009

Big T said:
Now you and Carl are funny, You spend time sorting thur comments on this blog but do not have five min for an email on actions that can effect your future. Just bare in mind there are laws on the books that my father swore would never happen. But like bad pennies the bills kept coming back up until one day they passed. The problem with laws is once passed they're hard to get rid of.

I have to agree with you Big T.

If I'm already on the phone, or sometimes at lunch with my representatives anyway, what is the big deal about bringing this to their attention ? In the time it takes to respond to most of these posts, one can jot off a quick phone call or an email. I want to be careful that we don't turn this into a bunch of political discourse. But, the truth is, many people couldn't care less about the business of keeping their representatives informed on their views. And it should also not come as a shock, that most people don't even bother to vote. They just don't take their obligations as a citizen seriously. They simply leave it up to politicians to decide. But, when that arm of government reaches into their own back yard, then they are crying the loudest, that they want help from fellow fanciers or the AU legal defense fund....just go figure.

They are perfectly willing to let "somebody else" do the work, as they are "just too busy". Most likely they have never really gotten involved...period....they would just as soon sit back on their back sides...typing dribble on some blog...to busy to fulfill any obligation as a citizen, but the first one to call for a bucket brigade, to throw cold water on the people actually doing the hard work. I have seen this is so many areas of this sport.

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LUCKYT

· #16 · Apr 22, 2009

I have been tracking these same Crappy Bills since 69' I do not have Lunch with my Reps, or am i able to Talk to them on the Phone. I was very active on these Issues when i was Young. Do not give me Crap about "Letting someone Else do the Work" I did my Work... It was for Naught.
Actually the Trend is going the other way...In the mid 60's it was not even Legal to Own Gerbils, or Java Finches in my State.. now you can.
If you have the Time, GREAT. I have Peed away to much time worrying about Bills that will never Pass. Besides as i understand it, it is about NEW Imports, not Animals already here. IT will never Pass. Dave

ace in the hole

· #17 · Apr 23, 2009

Brummie said:
I have no concern's.The subject is dead in the water.

I wish we could all live in our own little worlds were nothing could touch us. Things happen!!! Why? Because we have two many people like you who say, oh that could never happen and do nothing to stop it from becomming reality.

There is an old saying, You're either part of the problem or you're part of the solution. Sorry to be so bold, but you were!

Ace

Big T

· #18 · Apr 23, 2009

On that note nothing is gained by slamming or arguing with a person because one disagrees with decisions our government makes or has made, or one feels more passionate about a government issue than another. This is because, in the end, neither person can sway each other opinions or changes the outcome.

It is my belief, regardless of who each of us voted for; the person elected is the person to represent the people. They represent each and every one of us, whether we agree with the person or not. So I use the power of my vote and my right of free speech to ensure my elected officials know what I expect from them on each piece of legislation that comes across their desk that I strongly believe in, regardless if I voted for them or not. This is from the President to my city councilman, for that is where my voice counts. Each and every one of us should ensure we are not a silent majority but use our freedom of speech wisely. By wisely, I mean I only choose issues that are important to me, NOT every issue because then I have diluted what is really important to me.

But, I also choose my friends wisely and for the most part I have had problems with politicians because the ones I met tell me what they think I want to hear, smile and shake my hand like we’re old friends but their actions tell me different. LUCKYT and Brummie are both being honest with us and that deserves respect. In their minds we are beating a dead horse, wasting our time and they may be right. So like a good salesman, we have no sale here so let’s move on.

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SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 23, 2009

LUCKYT said:
I have been tracking these same Crappy Bills since 69' I do not have Lunch with my Reps, or am i able to Talk to them on the Phone. I was very active on these Issues when i was Young. Do not give me Crap about "Letting someone Else do the Work" I did my Work... It was for Naught.
Actually the Trend is going the other way...In the mid 60's it was not even Legal to Own Gerbils, or Java Finches in my State.. now you can.
If you have the Time, GREAT. I have Peed away to much time worrying about Bills that will never Pass. Besides as i understand it, it is about NEW Imports, not Animals already here. IT will never Pass. Dave

I do think you are correct, in that it will not pass. But, when I share my list of concerns with my representative, I see nothing wrong, with letting my representative know, how I feel about a list of bills, which may, or may not come up for a vote. Simply adding it to my "list", does not in and of itself, add very much time or effort. Since I touch base with my representative on a wide range of issues, on a very regular basis anyway, it requires no extra real effort on my part. By the way, my previous post, was not directed to you personally, but to those who do not communicate regularly with their representative. But, that is me, I actually spent less time on the phone this AM, relaying my opposition and support for seven different issues, in less time, then it took me to write this post. Some of these items may never make it out of committee, and thus never see the light of day, which is just fine with me. From my perspective, that time and effort is the price of citizenship within a Republic.

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