🦎Salamander Regulations and Their Economic Impact on Businesses
Injurious Wildlife Species; Listing Salamanders Due to Risk of Salamander Chytrid Fungus
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is affirming as final the 2016 interim rule that added all species of salamanders from 20 genera to the list of injurious amphibians. Under the injurious wildlife prohibitions of the Lacey Act, this final rule prohibits the importation into the United States and shipment between the continental United States, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States of any live or dead specimen, including hybrids and parts, of those 20 genera of salamanders, except by permit for certain purposes or by Federal agencies solely for their own use. In addition to finalizing the listing of those 20 genera, we are publishing a new interim rule to add to the injurious amphibian list 16 genera that recent studies determined are also carriers of the fungus and to clarify some provisions from the final rule. This interim rule includes any live or dead specimen, hybrid, or parts of the 16 genera and opens a public comment period. We take these actions to protect U.S. ecosystems from the introduction, establishment, and spread of the lethal chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, which infects and is carried by salamanders, and which is not yet known to be found in the United States.
Agencies
- Interior Department
- Fish and Wildlife Service
Business Impact
$$ - Med
The rule mandates compliance with prohibitions on the importation and transportation of numerous salamander species, impacting businesses in the pet trade and research sectors. Businesses will need permits for shipment and may face economic losses due to restrictions on interstate trade. The regulations could lead to shifts in consumer demand and practices within the industry.