Species Bill of 2005

[Colin]

I have to say that upon reading this bill I am against it. The penalties are very high for such offenses and are overkill. While I can see that Senator MasterJedi is just trying to save the animals he is doing it in a way that punishes people who go against this bill too strictly.

Another problem is with so called "invasive species". Under this act it would be illegal for a seller to import a Christmas tree from Canada or Scandinavia or import seeds for his tree farm. It would be impossible for nurseries to import seeds of several popular plants. Australian Pines, which are a very common plant used in landscaping, would be highly regulated as would certain types of Roses and Hyacinths and these are just the plants that are on there now. Their is no end to what plants could be put on the list.

For these reasons I oppose this bill.

[Colin]

Second is to Colin, there is no one complete invasive species list. Most of the plants that are brought into the US now aren't invasive. Scandinavian and Australian pines aren't invasive. They wouldn't take over an entire forest like say that mustard plant would. No invasive species are really used for landscaping in most common areas. If you still don't agree how would you think it should be worded to fit your ideas?

Actually there is an invasive species list put out by the EPA. It can be found here. This is part of an invasive species site produced by the Federal Government in cooperation with state governments. A second copy of this list can be found here. Hyacinths, certain types of roses, Australian Pines, honeysuckles, and St. Johnswart, which is used in many herbal suplements to, IIRC, help memory and energy levels. All of these are invasive species according to both lists, one of which is produced on a government website.

[Colin]

Aye

[Colin]

Aye

[Colin]

Nay