disneydream06

Georgie better hope the Republicans never become endangered, because I will be the first in line to hunt him down.
(PS: If the Secret Service is monitoring this, This is not ment as a threat to Georgie's life)

BUSH PLAN WOULD DESTROY SPECIES IN ORDER TO SAVE THEM

Over 350 scientists from the world conservation community
released a letter to the Bush administration yesterday,
protesting a "highly dubious" policy change that could send many
endangered species into extinction.

The letter charges the administration with using questionable
science to justify changes to trade policy under the Endangered
Species Act. The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced the
proposed change last fall.[1]

If enacted, the revised policy would allow imports of endangered
species, or products derived from such species, "to encourage
in-situ conservation of foreign-listed species."[2]

The scientists note that the FWS has not defined standards or
methods for monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of
such programs, citing examples of "unanticipated and sometimes
catastrophic" results from trade in endangered species,
including increased hunting, fewer births, and greater infant
mortality. "These disruptions can lead to substantial population
declines and, in some circumstances, to total population
collapse."[3]

"As scientists and wildlife professionals, we recognize the
intuitive appeal of sustainable use as a source of much-needed
conservation funding, particularly in less-developed countries,"
the letter states. "The history of negative outcomes from such
programs counsels strongly against extractive use as a
conservation tool for species already in danger of
extinction."[4]

Signatories to the letter include world-renowned scientists Jane
Goodall, Edward O. Wilson, and George Schaller.

While there may be a combination of interests behind the
proposed trade rule change, one likely source of pressure is the
trophy hunting industry. The Deputy of Fish and Wildlife, Matt
Hogan, is a former lobbyist for the Safari Club, and served as
Director of Conservation Policy for four years for the
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.[5]

John Kostyack of the National Wildlife Federation also notes
that while the connection is not certain, "the pet trade is a
multi-million dollar industry that would also benefit from
relaxed rules for importing exotic tropical fish and birds."

Kostyack emphasized the lack of good science or good policy
behind the administration's arguments for increasing trade in
endangered species. "Scientists who've been in the field are
saying there are no checks that ensure the conservation is
happening," he stated, "or that the last member of a species
isn't being harvested."

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TAKE ACTION
Submit a comment to Fish & Wildlife Service and ask them to
reverse policy that expands the import of endangered species.
http://ga3.org/ct/rp1XW261fBym/

###

SOURCES:
[1] Defenders of Wildlife Press Release,
http://ga3.org/ct/r71XW261fByj/.
[2] Federal Register Vol. 68 No. 175, Wednesday, September 10,
2003.
[3] Defender's letter, Mar. 4, 2004,
http://ga3.org/ct/rd1XW261fByu/.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Fish and Wildlife Service website,
http://ga3.org/ct/4p1XW261fByI/.