interstate shipments

[Paul Opler]

     Dear Michael and others:  
     
     Any and all interstate shipment or other transport [except under their 
     own devices] of any live insects across state lines requires permits 
     from the USDA--not the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Fish and 
     Wildlife Service is concerned with the interstate transport of living 
     or dead endangered species or species taken in violation of the Lacey 
     Act or other Federal laws. The Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned 
     with import or export into the U.S. of living or dead specimens in 
     violation of any U.S. law or treaty. Any importation of any live 
     insect into the U.S. also requires a USDA import permit. State 
     Wildlife or Conservation agencies would be concerned with any inter- 
     or intra-state movement of state-listed species subject to state 
     taking prohibitions, for example Karner blues in New York State. Thus, 
     it is possible that some shipments could require both USDA and Fish 
     and Wildlife Service permits in addition to the usual required U.S. 
     Customs declarations.
     
     The laws are really manifold and complex, but the other above is a 
     simple summation. Also note I am not responsible for enforement or 
     administration of any of these laws, and if any of the statements are 
     erroneous or misleading I do not accept responsibility!
     
     Paul Opler, Biological Resource Division, U.S. Geological Survey 


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: interstate shipments
Author:  gochfeld at EOHSI.RUTGERS.EDU at NBS-Internet-Gateway
Date:    9/29/97 3:00 PM


to amplify Harry Pavulaan's message about interstate hysteria....
     
I remember that sometime in the 1970's, museums began having problems 
and concerns with shipping bird specimens (legitimately taken in the 
past) from one museum to another across state lines. It became a 
potential violation of some act or other, even when the specimens in 
question were not endangered or threatened.  Eventually I understand 
this was ironed out with the USFWS.
     
M. Gochfeld