PIJAC Perspectives

Non-Native Species = Exotics = Public Health Ban…an Emerging Issue

By Marshall Meyers
Executive VP, PIJAC

Did you know that virtually every pet in our industry is dangerous -- a public health risk -- and should be banned! This is the mantra for several national organizations seeking to ban importation, interstate movement and possession of all non-native species as pets. Why? Of course, to protect the public from themselves, people who have been handling thousands of species and literally hundreds of millions of fish, birds, mammals (even cats), reptiles, amphibians for centuries.

Advances in science have significantly improved diagnostic techniques so that veterinarians can more readily detect the presence of disease, pathogens or other organisms of concern from a public health perspective. Improved diagnostics coupled with threats of pandemic outbreaks such as highly pathogenic strains of Avian Influenza (H5N1) have prompted certain organizations to focus more and more on wildlife as pets.

At a recent meeting, representatives from the National Association of Public Health Veterinarians, the Council on State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of the United States called for imposing a variety of bans ranging from outright bans of all non-native species as pets to possibly limiting the bans to selected species proven to be “dangerous” from a pubic health standpoint. While some of these organizations really mean to impose health regulations on selected species or groups of animals or species that have been demonstrated to pose a serious health risk, others simply want a simple solution – ban everything!

Some 50 years ago, H L Mencken, journalist and social critic, wrote “For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.” Nothing was more evident than what PIJAC witnessed when these organizations advocated simply banning “non-native species” or “exotics” without any attempt to define the terms of art they desired to see encapsulated in Federal laws and regulations. Unfortunately, most of these organizations get caught up in their own rhetoric and fail to recognize that usage of ill-defined or undefined terms such as “all non-natives” or “exotics” could lead to the banning of the feared Neon Tetra or Guinea Pig! When PIJAC questioned its use of the terms “non-native” and “exotic,” the general response -- stone silence with the exception of the AVMA. As PIJAC pressed the issue of its desire to ban virtually all pets (don’t forget cats are technically non-native to the US), some began to waffle.

When challenged as to the evidence justifying such broad-based bans, a representative from the Humane Society of the United States responded “We must be proactive, precautionary and not wait for the science!” PIJAC argued that a little science never hurts and that millions of pet owners have interacted with thousands of species for centuries without experiencing the massive scale of health issues intimated in the almost media hype styled presentations of the anti-trade organizations.

PIJAC recommended that a statistically reliable demographic study be conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to ascertain by species the numbers of specimens of non-native species (defined as species outside their native range) as well as data on the types of “pet” owners maintaining and interacting with these animals. Did you know, according to one presenter that “people are dying every year in the United States from their boas?” Where is the evidence supporting this allegation? If repeated enough and remains unchallenged, such statements become “fact!”

What some allege as “evidence” of public safety risks, borders on the absurd, yet we, as an industry, must be present to highlight the absurd, address unsupported assertions that abound, and strive for reliable, statistically based information. We must also be present to deal with those substantiated situations and present effective, workable solutions such as educating pet owners on how to responsibly and safely handle and enjoy their pets. PIJAC, in conjunction with the CDC, publishes safety tips on how to minimize the risk of Reptile-associated Salmonella and on how to handle pet rodents to minimize exposure to LCM virus. PIJAC and the CDC recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to expand our collaborative efforts to address public health issues.

The ongoing “invasive species” debate is being expanded to include the introduction of pathogens, parasites and disease that can be injurious to the environment, man and other animals. This brings about another dimension to the debate that requires our industry’s becoming more and more involved with the scientific and medical communities to address both animal and human medical issues as well as impacts on our environment. Otherwise media hype and hyperbole will rule. Absent PIJAC’s increased involvement, we will witness adoption of simple solutions that may appear neat and justifiable on their face but are simply wrong and unworkable. Stay tuned for this debate has just begun!

Marshall Meyers is the executive vice president and general counsel for PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council).