Farm Bill Provision Should Help Slow Sales in the U.S. of Puppies from Foreign Mills

Update: This provision did pass in the final version of the farm bill vetoed by President George W. Bush. Congress overrode the veto. 

Original report: As part of the 2007 Farm bill and as an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, 7 USC Sec. 2147, the U.S. Senate has passed a ban on imports of puppies for sale that are less than 6 months old that are not in good health and don’t have all the necessary vaccinations.  

There are exceptions for puppies imported for research or veterinary treatment. 

 Click here to read the bill. The Farm bill now goes to a Conference committee to reconcile differences with the House version.  Click here to contact your U.S. representative and ask him or her to support this important bill. 

It is hoped this bill will slow imports of puppies sold by breeders to U.S. consumers from what is a growing trade in dogs in countries such as Eastern Europe, China, Japan, Canada and Mexico.