January 4, 2006

Illinois Proposes Animal Import Restrictions

Regulations would amend the state Animal Welfare Act to establish new health certificate requirements and "entry permit" requirements. http://pijac.org/files/public/IL_IMP_REG.pdf

I've contacted reps for various Illinois clubs including the Central Illinois Watergardeners, Midwest Pond & Koi Society, Northern Midwest ZNA, Placid Ponders Water Garden Society, and Prairieland Pond Society to get their input along with several fish farmers doing business in and with Illinois businesses.

Plus, I've contacted the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, which lists this as breaking news and asked:
Can you answer whether Illinois went forward with or what the status is of their state department of Agriculture's attempt to modify the animal welfare act to include "fish" in new import restrictions?

The response this January 4 was:

Mr. Hawley,
This rulemaking is currently pending. PIJAC has suggested that the Department explicitly exclude fish from the import requirements, but they have not formally determined how the proposed regulation will be amended.

Michael Maddox
Director of Legislative Affairs
PIJAC
1220 19th Street, NW, Ste 400
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 452-1525 - tel
(202) 293-4377 - fax