RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR IMPORTATION OF NONNATIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES.
(Still reading, but, here is one part that helps us) ... chinchillas will be 'grandfathered' according to this part:
" .... Animals Owned Lawfully Prior to Prohibition of Importation- This Act and regulations issued under this Act shall not interfere with the ability of any person to possess an individual animal of any species if such individual animal was legally owned by the person before the risk assessment is begun pursuant to subsection (e)(3), even if such species is later prohibited from being imported under the regulations issued under this Act."
SEC. 4. LIST OF APPROVED SPECIES ...
(B) may be harmful to the United States’ economy, the environment, or other animal species’ or human health,
but already are so widespread in the United States that it is clear to the Secretary that
any import prohibitions or restrictions would have no practical utility for the United States.
still reading ....
I did not see anywhere that chinchillas, hamsters, or gerbils would be included. Did you see something some where else that makes you believe this?
... they want to pass a bill banning all NON native animals from being kept here ...
I believe this is referring to
importing these animals from other countries and, in some cases transporting certain animals from one state to another. This is in reference to animals that would be harmful to the health and well being of humans and other animals that are native to the United States and/or destructive economically.
Still, it never hurts to keep an eye on what the government is doing ... I've been shocked to many times.
Jo Ann