The House of Representatives in April named the legislators who will serve on a conference committee to iron out differences between House and Senate versions of the 2007 Farm Bill—including amendments that would restrict the import of puppies into the United States for resale and mandate a study on the prevalence of Salmonella in pet reptiles.

Under the puppy amendment, importation of dogs would be limited to healthy, vaccinated animals 6 months of age or older. Although the amendment would have limited immediate impact on the pet industry, it could set a precedent for imposing import bans that are not based on health and safety considerations, warned the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington).

However, the effect would be dramatic for Hawaiian pet retailers, said PIJAC. As a rabies-free state, Hawaii does not permit imports of puppies bred in the continental United States. Therefore, puppies imported into that state for resale must come exclusively from rabies-free countries, such as Australia.

Another amendment tacked onto the Senate version of the bill calls for a study on the incidence of Salmonella in each species of reptile and amphibian sold legally as a pet in the United States. Depending on the results of the study, the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be charged with conducting a follow-up study—and so long as the sale of pet turtles is banned, the USDA must also prohibit the sale of other reptiles and amphibians, said PIJAC.

“If this amendment remains in the Farm Bill, the pet trade could be confronted with a wholesale ban against selling reptiles and amphibians in this country,” PIJAC said.

Visit www.pijac.org for a list of conference committee members and more information. [June 2008 PET AGE]