Comment on FR Doc # 2012-03878

The first thing that should be asked about this potential change in the way the USFWS processes the CBW permits is: Could this change (public publishing of the CBW permit applications) subject the animals involved to increased potential for harm, harassment, pursuit, hunting, collection, or even death? The answer is “YES” it could. It is no secret that animal rights/humane groups and their rogue members are uncontrollable by even the organizations to which they belong, and they aim to end all legitimate animal use. The U.S. Endangered Species Act allows for breeders, zoos, keepers, and the like to maintain, breed, and keep captive representatives of certain listed species under its registrations. What better way to find out who has these animals and to protest or even attack their facilities, than to bring suit upon the USFWS and force them to publish CBW permit applications for public review. The proposal being brought forward here through suit and harassment of the USFWS by PETA does nothing to promote good animal husbandry practices of captive bred wildlife. These non-stakeholders seek publication of this data only to harass captive bred wildlife permit holders and endanger the animals themselves. Many of these groups and their members have been listed as “terrorists” under official governmental terrorism lists. To force the USFWS to publish CBW permit applications gives these people the potential targets for their repeated terroristic attacks. Although CBW data is available through the FOIA program, information released is protected by the USFWS and personal information is not included. Breeders of any animals are now becoming common targets by animal rights groups and members with anti-animal agendas. If it were up to these zealots there would be no egg production in the United States, or beef, chicken, pork or other agricultural products. Many States are now adopting legislation to aid farmers and breeders in protecting themselves from terrorist activities,