Dog Provisions Survive Farm Bill
An amended version of the Farm Bill—including a proposal to modify the federal Animal Welfare Act—became law on May 21, after the House and Senate overrode President George W. Bush’s veto.
Language in the amendment mandating a study of Salmonella in reptiles sold as pets in the United States was stricken from House Resolution 2419 by the Conference Committee, while provisions barring puppy imports for the pet trade survived.
However, the final language includes an exemption that allows the lawful importation of a dog into Hawaii from the rabies-free countries of British Isles, Australia, Guam or New Zealand, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington), which lobbied for the exception.
Because Hawaii is a rabies-free state and does not permit imports of puppies bred in the continental United States, the initial proposal would have had a “devastating” effect on Hawaiian pet retailers, PIJAC said.
The Hawaii exemption applies only if the dog is not subsequently transported out of the state for purposes of resale at less than 6 months of age.
The approved AWA amendments also:
- Create a restriction against certain persons selling dogs and cats directly to the public.
- Define Class B dogs and cats, and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to review any independent recommendations by a nationally recognized panel on the use of Class B dogs and cats in federal research.
To view the specific provisions on puppy imports and Class B dogs, visit www.pijac.org. [July 2008 PET AGE]
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