Muscovies in US - REGULATION CHANGES OPEN FOR COMMENTS - 10/1 update

[HallFamilyFarm]

Part of the problem is that our beloved Senator Blanch Lincoln of Arkansas fell asleep at the wheel of this issue. I called her office numerous times in March and since. Was able to meet with her shortly in May, at one of her campaign sites. When we asked about this regulation she was suprised and asked why FWS was regulating livestock. She had me give our contact info to her assistant and said she would call us. No calls yet.

WE MUST REPLACE HER! She has constantly voted against what is best for Arkansas and farming.

I have spoken with Congressman Boozman's office. He is running for Senator Lincoln's seat. I think it is time for a change. Boozeman will stand up for all the farmers. Lincoln is only interested in the large farmers. Big agrabusiness.

If you are in Arkansas, please get behind John Boozeman and support him. Learn more about him at http://boozmanforarkansas.com

Meanwhile...still waiting for Senator Lincoln's phone call.......

 

[Danaus29]

Need some help with this issue, does anyone have the site or an email from George Allen stating specifically that the regulations are on hold and the date when that was decided. Need it for my variance hearing Monday. I am being denied specifically because as the zoning board stated "There were concerns raised due to the fact that many people keep Muscovies as pets, especially for show purposes, and this provision makes doing so illegal. Currently revisions are being proposed to amend this to allow Muscovies to be kept in this manner; however, it is still considered illegal at this time."

I know the above statement is a lie. I have an email from George Allen stating you may keep Muscovies you held before March 31, 2010. I just want more proof the county is lying when I go to the hearing Monday.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

The original regulation that was put on hold itself specifically states that. A link is, I believe at the very beginning of this thread. Anyways, go to the link and print off the relevant pages, making sure that the url is listed in your headers and footers. There may well be a statement on the FWS website stating that the provisions are on hold.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/

Scroll about half way down the page to info on the control order on Muscovy ducks. Click on "Fact Sheet" See point #9

9. When do the new regulations take effect? The new regulations are effective March 31,
2010. However, regulations restricting possession and sale of muscovy ducks will not be
administered and permits will not be available because we plan to amend those regulations in the
near future.​

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:

And also

4. Do I need a migratory bird permit to raise and sell muscovy ducks now? No. Although
we amended the regulations at 50 CFR 21.14 and 21.25 to restrict possession and sale of
muscovy ducks, we will not restrict possession or sale, or issue permits for this species at this
time. As a result of information received since publication of the final rules, the Service has
decided to revise the regulations.

and from the original rules that were published in "Federal Register /Vol. 75, No. 39 /Monday, March 1, 2010 /Rules and Regulations [page ]9319"
(http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/R...2010/Muscovy Duck Final Rule 1 March 2010.pdf)

We intend to
disallow private possession of muscovy
ducks, except to raise them to be sold
as food (which has been ongoing for
years). However, we will allow
possession of any live muscovy duck
held on the date when this rule takes
effect.

the bold is mine, for emphasis.​

 

[Danaus29]

I had a copy of the regs last time and did inform the panel the regs are on hold but I was so upset about the local opposition that I couldn't think straight. Now that most of my girls are safe I realize I must fight the county for all Muscovy ownership. I don't want to lose this case and be a landmark decision for the county to ban Muscovies even for those people living on actual farms.

 

[Mac_]

Dr. George Allen with FWS is pretty approachable on this issue. I was able to reach him by phone fairly easily. You might call him and ask what restrictions (if any) he is going to propose be placed on domestically raised Muscovies. You might also want to ask if the council members could reach him by phone with any questions.

Good luck defending our right to farm!

Mac

 

[Danaus29]

I did get an email back from George Allen, currently propagation is illegal.
This is a copy of the email I got back:
"I expect that the marking will be required after the new regulations revisions are in place. It isn't required right now, but the regs don't allow for propagation of muscovy ducks right now, either. We're asking folks not to enforce the regs changes, and give us a chance to get the more appropriate regulations in place."

So clear as mud, you can breed them just don't get caught and sure as shootin', don't apply for a variance to keep them.
I fully expect my variance to be turned down based mainly on the federal regulations.

I would have called but I needed verification in writing.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Is there a reason that you need to specify "muscovy ducks" vs "ducks" in your variance request?

 

[Danaus29]

They already have the pictures of the ducks and no way I could ever hide those heads. And when they presented the false charges about someone complaining about the noise I wasn't thinking clearly (having already been through heck and still hanging there) and told them Muscovies don't make enough noise for the neighbors to hear them. In the original case Planning and Development asked what kind of ducks I had and I told them. Yes, I was stupid. Can't be undone now.

At least my favorites are safe having been sent to new homes weeks ago. All I have left is a pitiful 4 who have their own little problems and I didn't feel it would be fair to send them off to foster homes. I didn't think anyone else should have to deal with the problem ones.