The failed regulatory system for animal imports into the United States - and how to fix it

The most efficient way to avoid unwanted impacts from invasive imported animals, and from pathogens the may carry, is to block their initial entry into the country.  Several reports have described the Federal regulatory system applied to imports of live non-native species as outdated, and even as negligent, in view of the massive trade volume and the  environmental, economic, and health threats. Readily imported animals have often escaped or been released from captivity and are causing serious problems. Current Federal animal import laws hold few species back, blocking only the most obvious invaders and disease vectors. In a major new study, Defenders of Wildlife addressed all intentionally imported taxa. Defenders obtained complete listings of the > 2,240 known non-native animal species identified as imported, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data, from 2000 to 2004. Defenders then, with input from numerous experts internationally, preliminarily evaluated their invasion and disease risks. This “coarse screen” found preliminary evidence that a large percentage of species on the U.S. list of  imports may present risks to people and to native and domesticated animals. Defenders recommends that most of these animal species should not continue to be imported absent full, science-based, risk analyses and case-by-case regulatory decisions that the risks they present are acceptable. All risk cannot be eliminated, but the fragmented and extremely liberal Federal regulatory system fails the national interest. Defenders study describes how to fix this system, which will require new legislation and commitment by Congress and the regulatory agencies.