A bill in the House of Representatives is being opposed by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and 22 sportsmen's organizations that would amend the federal Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to extend protections to bears illegally harvested for their viscera.
The bill -- HR5534, "The Bear Protection Act of 2008" -- is opposed because it is believed the trade in viscera such as a bear's gall bladder or bile, which is sometimes obtained and sold illegally on the black market, is already illegal by the Lacey Act.
The Lacey Act makes it illegal for anyone to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or in violation of any Indian tribal law whether in interstate or foreign commerce, according to a news release by the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.
In other words, if you kill a bear illegally, you already can't do anything with it across state or national boundaries or you are in violation of the Lacey Act, which brings federal penalties in addition to any state laws broken.
Those in opposition to the bill believe the measure is an attempt to reduce hunting. The stated purpose of the bill is "to ensure the long-term viability of the world's 8 bear species by reinforcing State conservation and management of bear populations," according to the release. The argument is that bear populations are declining in some places in the world and it is believed the black market trade will start targeting American black bears, which are in no danger. The law, according to those opposing it, would add layers of red tape to already overworked wildlife managers.
To read the CSC release, click here.
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