Kill-S373 SAMPLE LETTER:
Senator (name of your senator w/ address)
Please oppose S373 aka 'The Python Ban'. Although I share concern for the environment
of the Everglades this bill is over reaching and will have far more effect on the trade in
high quality captive bred reptiles than addressing the issues in south Florida. It will hurt
me, my family and my business. With no credible evidence to support such draconian
measures it will destroy jobs in our state.
The USGS report being used as justification for listing 9 snakes on the Injurious Wildlife
list of the Lacey Act has been discredited by a panel of 11 independent scientists. In a
letter to the Senate EPW Committee this report has been characterized as "unscientific".
Further the scientists state "this document is not suitable as the basis for legislative or
regulatory policies".
The trade in reptiles here in the United States represents approximately 3 billion dollars
annually and exports of high quality captive bred reptiles account for 82% of the trade
worldwide. Thousands are employed directly or indirectly by the reptile industry. The trade
in the 9 snakes addressed in S373 is approximately 1/3 of the total annual trade. In a
recent letter to the Senate EPW Committee the US Chamber of Commerce states "if
enacted in its current form, this legislation would adversely impact tens of thousands of
businesses". Our state alone stands to lose scores of jobs.
S373 if passed will circumvent the scientific process for the sake of political expediency.
Thousands of hardworking American families will be bankrupted. Jobs will be lost in our
state. Please say NO on S373. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(your name
address and
EMAIL address)