[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38143-38144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18756]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 14
Importation, Exportation, and Transportation of Wildlife
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: This document announces the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
(Service) intent to review aspects of the wildlife importation and
exportation
[[Page 38144]]
regulations pertaining to domesticated species, certain captive-bred
and captive-born species. In addition, the Service intends to review
the current user fee structure. The Service intends for this review to
lead to proposed changes in the wildlife importation and exportation
regulations that would ease the burden on importers and exporters
dealing in wildlife that involves no conservation risk, and allow the
Service to focus its resources on areas of greater concern. This review
will assess whether proposed changes in the current method of assessing
user fees are warranted. Any proposed changes in the regulation of
domesticated species and certain captive bred or captive-born species,
will be addressed in a separate rule from any possible proposed changes
to the user fee structure.
DATES: Comments and other information received on or before September
14, 1998, will be considered by the Service in developing proposed
amendments to 50 CFR part 14.
ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be
sent to the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 3247,
Arlington, Virginia 22203-3247. Comments and materials may be hand-
delivered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law
Enforcement, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 500, Arlington, Virginia,
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Comments
may also be submitted via electronic mail (E-mail) to:
r9le__www@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin R. Adams, Chief, Office of Law
Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-1949.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 21, 1996, the Service published a final rule (61 FR 31868)
that defined ``domesticated species'' to include a list of certain
species that would be exempt from the requirements of 50 CFR part 14,
subpart B. The Service has experienced difficulty determining which
species qualify as domesticated under the current definition in 50 CFR
14.4. In addition, the Service has received continual requests for
additions to the list. The Service is considering creating a new
definition for ``domesticated species'' and reviewing the list to
determine whether species should be added or deleted, or whether the
list should be clarified or eliminated.
The Service is interested in reviewing its role in the regulation
of international trade of captive-bred and captive-born wildlife parts
and products where it can be determined that no conservation risk
exists. Many species are regularly bred or born in captivity for
international trade such as the Ostrich (Struthio camelus) and American
Bison (Bison bison bison), but are not considered to be domesticated
animals and thus are subject to all wildlife import and export
regulatory requirements. The Service intends to review those species
that are routinely bred or born in captivity, where the commodities in
international trade are primarily produced from captive-bred or
captive-born populations in order to determine whether a reduced level
of regulatory control and/or user fees is warranted.
Finally, in the June 21, 1996 (61 FR 31868) final rule amendments
to 50 CFR part 14, the Service also enacted new user fee requirements.
All commercial importers and exporters of wildlife are required to be
licensed and pay appropriate user fees for each shipment. Since the
implementation of the new user fees, the Service has received numerous
complaints from small businesses about the increased burden on their
operation. Although the Service does not intend to change the license
requirement for commercial importers and exporters, the Service is
interested in reviewing the user fees charged for each shipment. The
Service is exploring different user fee structures including a tiered
system that would assess user fees based on various factors including
quantity and value. The Service is interested in receiving comments on
the current user fees including information documenting specific
economic, paperwork, or other burdens that have been imposed on small
businesses.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 14
Animal welfare, Exports, Fish, Imports, Labeling, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
Dated: June 23, 1998.
Donald J. Barry,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 98-18756 Filed 7-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
