Posted Monday, April 14, 2008, 5:13 p.m., EST

Amendment calls for a study to determine the “prevalence of salmonella in each species of reptile and amphibian sold legally as a pet in the United States.

The U.S. House of Representatives have appointed 49 of its members, including 29 Democrats and 18 Republicans, to serve on a conference committee to resolve differences between Senate and House versions of the Farm Bill.

Those differences include two Senate-approved amendments that would impact the pet industry, notably a ban on importing puppies under 6 months into the United States and a mandated study on the prevalence of salmonella in reptiles sold as pets in the U.S.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council warned that although the puppy amendment would not have a significant immediate impact on the pet industry (with the exception of Hawaii), it could set a precedent of imposing import bans that are not tied directly to health and safety issues.

The measure would ban the import of puppies until they were at least 6 months of age, received necessary vaccinations and were in good health.

Because Hawaii is rabies-free and cannot receive puppies bred anywhere in the continental U.S., the ban’s effect could be dramatic, PIJAC reported, noting that is has been involved in negotiations to exempt Hawaii from the 6-month restriction, provided the dogs would not be sent to other states until they were at least 6 months old.

Shelters and rescue organizations would generally be exempt from the puppy import restrictions.

The other amendment calls for a study to determine the “prevalence of salmonella in each species of reptile and amphibian sold legally as a pet in the United States.” Depending on the results of that study, the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be charged with additional study and “so long as the sale of pet turtles is prohibited, the USDA must also prohibit the sale in the United States of other reptiles and amphibians,” PIJAC reported.

This could result in a “wholesale ban against selling reptiles and amphibians in this country,” PIJAC reported.

PIJAC recommends industry members with concerns about these provisions voice their concerns to members of the committee. Visit www.pijac.org for a complete list.

The Senate had previously appointed 11 of its members, including six Democrats and five Republicans, to serve on the committee. <HOME>