Protecting Against Invasive Species: New Animal Import Rules
New rules aim to better protect the environment and agriculture from harmful animal species. They introduce a ban on importing many non-native species unless they were already widely imported or deemed safe. The government also gains the ability to quickly ban imports in emergency threat situations.
Key points
Most non-native wild animal species (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles) will be presumptively prohibited from import unless they meet specific conditions.
The Department of the Interior can issue immediate, temporary bans on species imports if they pose an imminent threat to humans, agriculture, or wildlife.
Existing species that were imported or transported in more than minimal quantities within one year prior to the law's enactment may continue to be imported.
The Department of the Interior can allow imports of species that do not pose a significant invasiveness risk, following public comment.
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