3 replies to this topic

[NicholasP]

Today I received from a friend a link to a website with worrying news for ant keepers and those who keep animals in general. I'm only posting this to inform people about the possible upcoming changes that the U.S. government may place. The link is https://usark.org/2022lacey/. I only read a little throughout the whole thing, but from what I read it says that the government are planning on possibly completely eliminating interstate transport for animals which would most likely greatly affect big sellers that have most of their customers from out of state like: Ants Emporium, Tar Heel Ants, and Stateside Ants. People are just starting up their ant selling business, and some are sellers that have their roots deep in the ground like Tar Heel Ants because Tar Heel Ants not only sells ants but formicaria. My point is that if this is approved by the government, we will likely no longer be able to do interstate transport and people will be hit HARD. Not only ant keepers but also reptile keepers, Tarantula keepers, and so many more. I'm just posting this for people to know what might possibly happen in the future and to be prepared for it if it happens. I will state this again though, I have not read the entire article, only a portion of it. Please leave your opinions in comments because I'd really like to hear your opinions.

[Manitobant]

Considering the fact that ant sales across state lines require permits, something that specifically allows you to transport an animal normally considered illegal (including the additions from the new law) I doubt it will affect antkeeping that much.

Edited by Manitobant, February 4 2022 - 1:10 PM.

[NicholasP]

Considering the fact that ant sales across state lines require permits, something that specifically allows you to transport an animal normally considered illegal (including the additions from the new law) I doubt it will affect antkeeping that much.

Honestly, I think differently than that. Ants Emporium would have to remain with sales inside of Texas and would not be able to collect outside of it and Ants Emporium honestly wouldn't really be competitive as quite a few of their ants are overpriced. Several ants like Atta texana and Neoponera villosa would be fairly easy to collect during their flights.

[bmb1bee]

I've heard from somewhere that the US government is really strict about this, but not because they care. Some antkeeping subreddit post said that the government just creates laws like these to make people believe that they care, despite not even knowing how to deal with it reasonably. I feel like this law is being way too overprotective. I'd understand if it only applied to invasive species, but it would be totally pointless for native species, since they're ALREADY EXISTING HERE. Antkeeping is a hobby that many people enjoy, so it should be accessible to everyone?? Right?? What if someone (including me, sorta) lives in a place chock-full of invasive species that people would release after they get bored of the hobby? If access to native species through interstate shipping weren't prohibited, people would be able to raise and release native species to naturally take back territory from the invading tramp species, like the RIFA and Argentine ants. Plus, people actually have to apply for these permits to get sell these ants, so that proves how much they want to help with spreading the hobby! Anyways, it's just my opinion, please don't get too political about it 

EDIT: I kinda misread the question, but I guess I'll leave it here 

Edited by bmb1bee, February 4 2022 - 1:42 PM.