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

[Mac_]

There is a suggested letter template up at:

http://muscovyban.blogspot.com/

I would welcome any suggestions for changes to the letter.

Time is running out! Send your letter today.

I think that this link will take you directly to the form to make comments online:

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480bb7a35

Check the box to "Comment Directly".

Mac

 

[Mac_]

Below is a copy of a letter that I e-mailed to my Senator and Congresswoman. Please feel free to copy and/or edit as you see fit.

Mac



Dear _________:

The Fish and Wildlife Service seems determined to enact regulations that will treat domestic Muscovy ducks as wildlife in every state of the country in response to very isolated problems with feral populations in just 2 or 3 states.

The Muscovy duck is native to Mexico, Central America, and just recently, 3 counties in Texas.

The history of Muscovy ducks being raised as domestic livestock goes back to the 1500s, and is well documented at the following website: http://muscovyban.blogspot.com/p/history-of-domestication-of-muscovy.html

I'd like to make a couple of points regarding this issue:

The FWS is grossly overstepping their bounds in proposing regulations that affect domestic livestock.

The proposed regulations will affect the domestic Muscovy ducks that are raised as livestock across the United States. Where will the funding for the enforcement of these regulations come from?

The country cannot afford wanton expansion of regulation like this.

This regulation may very well be unconstitutional.

And, all the FWS really had to do to address the real problem, was to pass a regulation that granted a blanket control order that allowed local jurisdictions to control problem populations of feral Muscovey ducks. The final proposed rules do grant this control order, but they also go further and regulate all domestic Muscovey ducks in the country.

Please do what you can to rein in this expensive non-sense. The public comment period for these regulations just ended Dec 30, so there is still time to influence the outcome.

Attached please find my comment letter to Dr. Allan at the FWS.

Please consider sending a message along the lines of the following to Dr. George Allen at the Fish & Wildlife Service ( [email protected] ):

I am writing to express several concerns relating to your agency's proposed regulations dealing with Muscovy ducks.

Given our current budget deficit, can you please explain why the FWS saw fit to undertake to pass regulations that will likely have to be enforced in most of the 50 states?

It is my understanding that Muscovey ducks are raised as livestock all around the world, and that this domestication can be traced back to the 1500s. Can you please explain why the FWS feels it has the authority to regulate domesticated livestock?

Also, can you please cite the section of the Constitution that empowers your agency to regulate livestock? Where did the FWS get the power to make law?

This is just another example of government regulation run amuck, at taxpayers' expense.​

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Thanks for posting, Mac_ I have noticed that many of the hatcheries that use to sell Scovies are no longer do so. Sad.

I'd like to see Scovies listed as domestic livestock, which they are, & kept out of the purview of FWS.

 

[Mac_]

My congresswoman's office has a call in to Dr. Allen!

 

[Mac_]

I've heard back from my congresswoman's office, and it sounds like the FWS just might be persuaded to recognize and exempt domestic Muscovies.

Letters to your representatives can only help.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

I know it's not over but that does give one hope. It's not as if the FWS has nothing better to do or the $/manpower to follow through w/regulating domestic livestock.

 

[Parrotchick]

I know the FWS doesn't want to be involved with this at all- I spoke to a bunch of people from the Division of Migratory Birds at their annual meeting last spring. Wildlife, true wildlife is their thing, but sometimes they get dragged in when a line is crossed between wild and domestic. Unfortunately they are not immune from political pressures as well. One of their big bugaboos is a burgeoning mallard overpopulation, exacerbated by a wealthy and politically powerful duck hunting lobby (think Dick Cheney types). Mallards are bred and released for the sole purpose of hunting, but it totally throws the natural order of things out of whack.

The FWS also gets stuck dealing with problems like the released pet reptiles that are taking hold in Florida. They certainly don't want to have to be involved in the retail pet industry, but since they end up dealing with the fallout, they are forced to deal with it by default. Remember that is was local and state level DNR's that came to FWS for help with the muscovy issue, not the other way around. They weren't snooping looking for causes that would cost more money but get no more funding. I think Dr. Allen is doing his best to walk a very fine line and work with those of us who see the ducks as a domestic issue. We are indeed lucky that he has been so responsive to us; he really had no legal mandate to do so once the regulation had been put out there (and that is how that kind of regulation works-I have spoken with a couple of lawyers and it is all Constitutional).

And maybe the "problem" of muscovies was blown out of proportion by a few people who just couldn't stand the poor ducks. Perhaps a few well intended people could offer to help deal with the problem children by relocating some of the ducks, oiling their eggs, educating locals on their harmlessness, whatever to help minimize the issues. Maybe that's a band-aid solution, but a little good will can go a long way.

I recently adopted another female Muscovy who's got a bit of the Wanderlust-at least she'll venture to the front yard or the neighbor's yard instead of staying within 20 feet of her pen like my other two and now those two are following her. I am going to band them anyway, just so people realize they're something special and belong to someone rather than a weird looking wild duck (not that there are any stray or feral muscovies in my neck of the woods anyway). I think banding, while a PIA, isn't such a bad option considering all the other restrictions that could be put in place. Like a lot of other "rights" that have become restricted over the years, responsible people have to pay for the mistakes of others. Some people really resent this "intrusion" into their "privacy"; without getting too political, I personally don't find it a sign of a bigger effort by a sinister Big Brother.

 

[Mac_]

The Weston A. Price foundation issued an action alert on this subject to their members!

"Help Preserve the Right to Raise Free Range Poultry"

https://www.westonaprice.org/action...ve-the-right-to-raise-free-range-poultry.html

 

[PamelaJaye]

We have been informed that the FWS is considering revising the proposed rule again, but this time exempting domestic Muscovy ducks from any regulation.

who are "we" and is it true. Someone should verify or dis-verify (i'm tired) before getting all up in arms again.​

 

[Mac_]

An aide in my congresswoman's office called and spoke with Dr. Allen, then called me back. She told me that Dr. Allen indicated that due to the comments received he was considering revising the rules a 3rd time.

It is my opinion that Dr. Allen is inclined to exempt domestic Muscovies (except for a prohibition against the intentional release to the wild on land that one does not own), but that others at FWS are just in the habit of habitual regulation and just can't help themselves.

It is also my opinion that letters or e-mails to our elected officials at this time would help ensure no additional regulations for domestic Muscovies.

Mac