[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E14]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF THE CAPTIVE PRIMATE SAFETY ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2009

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to 
prohibit interstate commerce in nonhuman primates as pets. The Captive 
Primate Safety Act, CPSA, would amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 
to treat nonhuman primates as prohibited wildlife species under that 
Act and to make corrections in the provisions relating to captive 
wildlife offenses under that Act.
  Nonhuman primates kept as pets pose serious risks to public health 
and safety. They can transmit diseases and inflict serious physical 
harm. These risks are increased by interstate transport of the animals. 
Currently, twenty states prohibit keeping primates as pets, and many 
others require a permit. Even in states where it is legal to keep 
primates, most people cannot provide the special care, housing, and 
social structure these animals require.
  Although the importation of nonhuman primates into the United States 
for the pet trade has been banned by Federal regulation since 1975, 
these animals are bred in the United States and are readily available 
for purchase from exotic animal dealers and even over the Internet. 
Because of the importation laws, there remains an active domestic trade 
in these animals.
  The CPSA would amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to add nonhuman 
primates to the list of animals that cannot be transported across state 
lines. It would prohibit the import, export, transportation, sale, 
receipt, acquisition, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce of 
nonhuman primates in order to safeguard public health and safety and 
protect the welfare of monkeys, apes (which include chimpanzees and 
orangutans), marmosets and lemurs. The bill is similar to the Captive 
Wildlife Safety Act, CWSA, which Congress passed in 2003 to ban 
interstate commerce in lions, tigers, and other big cats for the pet 
trade.
  The CPSA would not affect trade or transportation of animals for 
zoos, research facilities, or other federally licensed and regulated 
entities. In the 110th Congress, the CPSA received strong support in 
the 110th Congress from Dr. Jane Goodall, the American Veterinary 
Medical Association, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and The 
Humane Society of the United States. It easily passed the House of 
Representatives.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this bi-
partisan legislation.




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