Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act (H.R. 996)

The National Invasive Species Council defines invasive species as those that are alien to the ecosystem in which they are found and whose introduction does or is likely to cause  economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. It is important to note that invasive species do not include those under human control or domestication. It is estimated that damage from invasive species worldwide totals more than $1.4 trillion dollars equivalent to 5% of the world’s economy.  The purpose of the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act is to establish an improved regulatory process for injurious wildlife to prevent the introduction and establishment in the United States of nonnative wildlife and wild animal pathogens and parasites that are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to humans or animal health. The bill outlines numerous requirements and activities to be undertaken by the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. These include defining terms, promulgating regulations, outlining emergency powers, establishing an electronic database, monitoring importations, preventing certain importations, establishing civil and criminal penalties and raising fees to provide a Wildlife Prevention Fund to carry out the Act.