67 replies to this topic

[Subverted]

This is a fancy way of saying whatever we decide it is, humans excluded.

When it comes to potential agricultural pests/pathogens...I think I'm ok with that. Sorta a public health matter more than just a regulatory issue

[dspdrew]

 

This is a fancy way of saying whatever we decide it is, humans excluded.

When it comes to potential agricultural pests/pathogens...I think Im ok with that. Sorta a public health matter more than just a regulatory issue

 

 

What's the difference?

[drtrmiller]

 

 

This is a fancy way of saying whatever we decide it is, humans excluded.

When it comes to potential agricultural pests/pathogens...I think I'm ok with that. Sorta a public health matter more than just a regulatory issue

 

 

What's the difference?

 

 

Exactly.  The law, very much like its enforcement, is so overly broad, as to be virtually unenforceable. It is only when folks talk openly in public forums or smuggle with relative impunity that the responsible authorities are able to take action.

 

If there was a federal risk classification system, much like there is in California and other states, then there would be much more clarity and sensibility than currently exists.  Unfortunately, until a sizable commercial interest can justify such a policy change, the agricultural interests of "just say no to bugs" will continue to prevail.

[dspdrew]

"just say no to bugs"

 

[Subverted]

Exactly.  The law, very much like its enforcement, is so overly broad, as to be virtually unenforceable. It is only when folks talk openly in public forums or smuggle with relative impunity that the responsible authorities are able to take action.
 
If there was a federal risk classification system, much like there is in California and other states, then there would be much more clarity and sensibility than currently exists.  Unfortunately, until a sizable commercial interest can justify such a policy change, the agricultural interests of "just say no to bugs" will continue to prevail.

The law says you can petition to have things removed (or add them)...

(2) PETITION TO ADD OR REMOVE PLANT PESTS FROM REGULATION
.—Any person may petition the Secretary to add a plant
pest to, or remove a plant pest from, the regulations issued
by the Secretary under paragraph (1).
(3) RESPONSE TO PETITION BY THE SECRETARY
.—In the case of a petition submitted under paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall act on the petition within a reasonable time and notify
the petitioner of the final action the Secretary takes on the
petition. The Secretary’s determination on the petition shall
be based on sound science.

[Leo]

I opened a bag of grapes from malaysia ( i live in Hong kong ) and i found a small colony of ants (with the queen ) between to grapes

[Canadian anter]

GXF opened a mangosteen and found a erromyrma Latinoides colony inside

[AntDomination]

OI mate

[Serafine]

 

The USPS is prohibited from opening domestic First Class mail. No one would know if ants were transported between states except the receiver and the sender. Only international imports and exports are subject to inspection.

 
Yes, to open domestic mail they would need a warrant...but anyone who is on this forum or any number of facebook groups already provides more than enough probable cause for that should they be investigating the matter.

 

Nah, they haven't caught AlabamaAnter yet so there's no reason to believe they'll catch anyone.

 

Also the current US administration doesn't care about any invaders that have more than two legs because they can't get banned for what they believe.

Edited by Serafine, March 10 2017 - 1:21 AM.

[Alabama Anter]

I thought I told you I haven't shipped for like 3 months?

[Serafine]

But you did for a pretty long time and they didn't catch you. And I'm very sure you're not the only one here, so we should have heard by someone who got in trouble but nothing so far. These departments seem pretty much to be just paper tigers.

[Batspiderfish]

I thought I told you I haven't shipped for like 3 months?

I never reported, because I didn't think some brat kid's family of unknowable circumstances should have to pay thousands of dollars for these mistakes.

To any other ignorant children on this forum (reformed or no): stuff like this is why we created the sandbox and why the posts of junior members are going to eventually be omitted from the feed. You are guests on a forum which values professional conduct in adherence to local environmental law. Trade across US state borders is strictly illegal. Breaking environmental laws just so you may be indulged with a purposeless exotic pet is an incredible disappointment to the hobby, the scientific community, and to conservation. This forum becomes less fun for everybody, including professional myrmecologists, when its members contradict its principles.
 

Edited by Batspiderfish, March 10 2017 - 7:06 AM.

[Socalfireants]

Its not a good idea to ship. Most ants can't be properly identified by basic ant keepers. We need to stop spreading invasive species. I don't know what part of this some of you guys don't get. 

[T.C.]

 

I thought I told you I haven't shipped for like 3 months?

I never reported, because I didn't think some brat kid's family of unknowable circumstances should have to pay thousands of dollars for these mistakes.

To any other ignorant children on this forum (reformed or no): stuff like this is why we created the sandbox and why the posts of junior members are going to eventually be omitted from the feed. You are guests on a forum which values professional conduct in adherence to local environmental law. Trade across US state borders is strictly illegal. Breaking environmental laws just so you may be indulged with a purposeless exotic pet is an incredible disappointment to the hobby, the scientific community, and to conservation. This forum becomes less fun for everybody, including professional myrmecologists, when its members contradict its principles.
 

 

I was thinking the same thing when you said you reported him. 90% of the world, at least, would have no idea you can't ship queen ants, and most wouldn't even be able to tell a queen from any other ants.

[Alabama Anter]

I also learned from a Californian antkeeper that it is illegal to actually put the ants in the mail.

[drtrmiller]

I also learned from a Californian antkeeper that it is illegal to actually put the ants in the mail.

Yeah, they might chew out of the envelope before the sorting system crushes their little guts out.

[Alabama Anter]

I also learned from a Californian antkeeper that it is illegal to actually put the ants in the mail.

Yeah, they might chew out of the envelope before the sorting system crushes their little guts out.

Squish....

[AnthonyP163]

 

I thought I told you I haven't shipped for like 3 months?

I never reported, because I didn't think some brat kid's family of unknowable circumstances should have to pay thousands of dollars for these mistakes.

To any other ignorant children on this forum (reformed or no): stuff like this is why we created the sandbox and why the posts of junior members are going to eventually be omitted from the feed. You are guests on a forum which values professional conduct in adherence to local environmental law. Trade across US state borders is strictly illegal. Breaking environmental laws just so you may be indulged with a purposeless exotic pet is an incredible disappointment to the hobby, the scientific community, and to conservation. This forum becomes less fun for everybody, including professional myrmecologists, when its members contradict its principles.
 

 

Rowstid

 

Sorry I had to.

 

Anyway, I agree with this. If you got caught, your parents would have had to pay thousands of dollars just because you wanted exotic species, your lucky nobody reported you and thanks for stopping.

[Alabama Anter]

Anthony, please do not make me tell...

[Derpy]

Are you allowed to ship ants within state borders?