The National Python & Boa Ban Information Center

The National Python & Boa ban upon passage would immediately ban the import, export, and movement from state to state of Indian Pythons, Burmese Pythons, African Rock Pythons, Green Anacondas, Yellow Anacondas, and Boa Constrictors.

The basis for this legislation is two bills; House Resolution (H.R.) 2811 in the House of Representative's sponsored by Representative Kendrick Meek who represents Florida's 17th district. Senate Resolution (S) 373 in the Senate sponsored by Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

These bills aim to amend the Lacey Act to include these species. Lacey is a 100 year old piece of legislation that is traditionally used to protect criminals from prospering as a result of trading illegally collected animals. There are generally two ways that a species can be listed on the Lacey Act. The first is by issuance of an emergency listing by the Secretary of the Interior. The second and most typical method is as the result of a complete and detailed risk analysis of the species that's conclusion shows that the species will be "injurious" to the United State's people, wildlife, horticulture, agriculture, forestry, or wildlife resources. The typical injurious species listing process is a proven, vetted, regulatory process that had been used for decades to protect the United States from invasives. Passage of the National Python and Boa ban would represent the first time that a non-science based governmen t body (in this case Congress) has ever usurped the regulatory process and declared an animal "injurious" without any scientific testimony, regulatory oversight, or public comment. This action is especially damaging because the species involved have been in hundreds of thousands if not millions of American homes as beloved pets for well over 30 years.

The National Pet Association does not support any legislation that hijacks the regulatory process in favor of passing legislation that will bring hardship on so many American families without even attempting to work with pet owners and the pet industry for a solution that might be mutually agreeable to all interested parties.

The Latest Documentation Disputing The Ban From the Experts

Review of USGS Risk Assessment of Nine Species of Constrictors - (pdf) - Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC)

Last Updated: 1/26/2010

ALERT: AS FORECASTED BY THE NATIONAL PET ASSOCIATION IN DECEMBER, ON 1/20/2010 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ANNOUNCED THAT THE US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE WILL BEGIN THE REGULATORY PROCESS FOR POTENTIALLY LISTING THESE CONSTRICTORS AS INJURIOUS. THIS IS GOOD NEWS, IT TAKES THE EVALUATION OF SCIENTIFIC FACT AWAY FROM POLITICIANS AND PUTS IT IN THE HANDS OF SCIENTISTS. THERE IS NO CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT ANY OF THESE ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT ALREADY REGULATED CAN SURVIVE OUTSIDE OF THE SOUTHERN MOST AREAS OF FLORIDA AND TEXAS WHEN EVALUATED AS INDIVIDUAL SUB-SPECIES. THE SCIENCE CAN NOT BE IGNORED FOREVER.

Senate: As NatPET had alerted, S. 373 was amended on Thursday 12/10/2009 to narrow the scope of the bill to only the 9 species of constrictors listed in the USGS risk assessment.

House: H.R. 2811 has been reported on by committee and is ready to be voted on by the full house. It currently only includes Burmese pythons and African Rock pythons and prohibits import, export, and interstate transport.

CBO Update: On January 21st, 2010 the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a reported declaring that the passage of S373 would have no signifigant impact to the United States economy. The outcome of this report was predicted by The National Pet Association and will have little bearing on future efforts to fight the ban.

Last Updated: 1/26/2009

US Fish & Wildlife Service: The National Pet Association is committed to providing the USFWS with the information they need in order to conduct a fair and balanced review of all materials and information regarding the species that they will review. If there comes a time that a grass roots effort is needed to provide the USFWS with additional information, we will absolutely call on everyone interested in helping to be heard.

Senate: S.373 has been reported by committee. The next step is debate and a vote in front of the full Senate. There could be a vote over a possible "hold" on the bill prior to the debate and vote on the Senate floor. We will keep you posted.

House: Once the full house floor votes for or against HR 2811, it moves to committee to be merged with the version passed by the Senate.

URGENT: YOU CAN TAKE DIRECT AND EFFECTIVE STEPS TO FIGHT THE BAN AT The National Python & Boa Ban Action Center. TELL YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND CO-WORKERS THAT THEY ALL CAN HELP BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK OR BY VISITING WWW.NOSNAKEBAN.COM. THE FUTURE OF REPTILES IS IN YOUR HANDS.

Additional Information

Last Updated: 1/26/2010

• The Precautionary Principle and Pythons (pdf) - David G. Barker and Tracy M. Barker

• Review of USGS Report That Claims Nine Species of Constrictor Snake to Be Invasive (pdf) - David G. Barker and Tracy M. Barker

• Python Ban Quick Overview

• Python & Boa Ban Historical Timeline

• www.kill-s373.com - USARKs letter writing campaign to the US Senate against S373
  
  
• FAQ on S373 & HR2811 by Jonathan Brady
  
  
• One Page Summary of S373 by Johnathan Brady
  
  
• Author of "The Complete Boa Constrictor", Vin Russo's urgent letter to reptile enthusiasts.

• KC FOX 4 News Report about the National Python and Boa Ban

• USGS Risk Assessment of 9 species of large constrictors

• "Pyron Study" that shows USGS risk assessment is not likely to be accurate
  

• National Pet Association Testimony submitted to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife for 12/3/2009 Hearing

• Stop HR 2811 Facebook Page

• National Geographic Publishes Letter from Scientific Experts Opposing Python Ban