From:
rei_diamantis@yahoo.co.jp
Date: 2006-08-01 12:30:38 UTC
Subject: URGENT: action needed on USDA regs
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
From: International Ferret Congress <ferretcongress@FERRETCONGRESS.ORG>
Dear Ferret Friends:
We are writing you today with an update on the progress of ferret specific
regulations within the USDA. Last year we asked the ferret community to write the
USDA during the comment period with their thoughts and ideas about requiring
ferret specific regulations -- such as requiring a minimum of 8 weeks of age be
obtained prior to shipping as evidenced by the presence of adult canine teeth;
requiring that ferrets be maintained at a comfortable temperature; and allowing for
the special needs of ferrets for social bonds, contact, and mental stimulation.
Your voices were heard loud and clear -- with thousands of letters pouring into the
USDA, almost all voicing support for ferret specific regulations.
But now we have a problem, and we need your support again.
The USDA is trying to bypass the clear mandate that you, the citizens of the United
States, provided them! They are putting the ferret specific regulations on the back
burner in favor of something else -- lumping the ferrets into a regulation providing
for ALL WARM BLOODED MAMMALS not to be shipped prior to 8 weeks. That means
that yes, ferrets won't be shipped until 8 weeks of age, but how will that be verified
without dental eruption requirements? We've all seen ferret health certificates with
the wrong age marked. There will be no provision for keeping these ferret babies
comfortably cool. Or trying to keep family groups housed together. Or even
standardizing the types of cages and feeding schedules maintained by the ferret
farms! Worse yet -- why would they think the needs of ferrets would be similar to
guinea pigs (who are able to breed by 3 weeks of age?) or elephants, or tigers, or
lions? This is a shortcut that simply won't work.
A more acceptable compromise to ferret specific regulations would be to "lump" the
ferrets in with the very specific regulations already in place for dogs and cats. At
least this keeps some similar species together. However, the current line of
reasoning of the USDA is simply unacceptable and unreasonable.
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! A MEETING
IS SCHEDULED MID-AUGUST TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS PROPOSAL!
The contact information listed below is the direct line to the supervisor of this
project. He alone will not be making the decision, but will be able to provide
influence and insight at the meeting. Please call, email, and let him know that
ferrets need specific regulations, and lumping them into a general "8 week rule" is
simply not acceptable to the ferret community.
Please also remember that this is a government office -- and they are dealing with
many issues beyond ferrets. BE PERSISTENT, BUT POLITE! Leave detailed messages
and send detailed emails. If they hear from enough of us in person -- it has to
make a difference. We pay their salaries, they need to listen to our opinions -- and
we won't be ignored!
TODAY -- PLEASE CALL!
Dr. Chester Gipson
301-734-4980
AND EMAIL!
chester.a.gipson@aphis.usda.gov
Thanks for your time -- for all the fuzzies in your life, the past, and the future.
NOTE: Please feel free to forward this message to other lists, blogs, websites, club
meetings, or anywhere else ferret lovers may see it. It is essential to act quickly and
politely!
[Moderator's Note: permission to carry this to the FHL was received from an IFC
director. THis is not strongly on topic for the FHL because of the political aspects
but improving APHIS ferret regulations could have large impacts on ferret health so
is being allowed as rare exception. ]
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