MIAMI (AP) — A reptile industry trade association wants to overturn a nationwide ban on importing four giant snake species or transporting them across state lines.
The North Carolina-based United States Association of Reptile Keepers says the ban is unnecessary and is costing reptile breeders, handlers, hobbyists and vendors millions of dollars.
The group filed a lawsuit last week in federal court in Washington, D.C., against U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The attorney representing the reptile keepers says the ban applies a one-size-fits-all approach to a problem primarily affecting South Florida alone.
A Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman says the ban will help prevent non-native snakes from spreading and protects native wildlife.
The ban applies to Burmese pythons, yellow anacondas and northern and southern African pythons.
Source: Associated Press
