1980
The House of Representatives passes amendments to the Lacey Act to make
this statute enforceable and increase penalties for willful importation of
wildlife obtained illegally in a foreign country or transported illegally
across state lines, but the objection of individual Senators prevents
their enactment.
Hearings on an International Wildlife Protection Bill introduced as an
amendment to the Elephant Protection Act take place; despite support from
every organization except the ivory dealers’ lobby, the bill is blocked.
1981
Congress strengthens provisions of the Lacey Act substantially. Each
violation now carries penalties of a maximum fine of $20,000 and/or five
years imprisonment.
Congress reauthorizes the Endangered Species Act after a vigorous
battle with special interest groups who tried, unsuccessfully for the most
part, to weaken it.
The Elephant Protection Act dies without action.
1982
The Marine Mammal Protection Act is reauthorized.
1984
The House of Representatives holds a hearing for a bill to end the use
of steel jaw leghold traps in the United States and abroad.
1985
The Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act, an amendment to the
Animal Welfare Act, intends to minimize laboratory animal pain and
distress. It establishes an information service in the National
Agricultural Library in cooperation with the National Library of Medicine
to provide data on alternatives to laboratory animals, to help prevent
unintended duplication of experiments and tests and to provide information
to institutions for training scientists and other personnel in humane
practices as required by the new law. Each registered research facility
must appoint an institutional animal committee, including a veterinarian
and an unaffiliated person to represent the general community interest in
the proper care and treatment of animals. The committee must inspect the
animal laboratories twice a year and report deficiencies to the
institution for correction. If not corrected promptly, the USDA must be
notified for enforcement action, and any funding agency involved must be
informed for a decision on whether the grant should be suspended or
revoked.
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Important Legislative Initiatives Advanced by SAPL
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Furthermore, investigators are required to consider alternatives and to
consult with a veterinarian before beginning any experiment that could
cause pain. They must adhere to standards set by the Secretary of
Agriculture for pre- and post-surgical care, the use of pain relieving
drugs or euthanasia, against the use of paralytics without anesthesia and
the unnecessary use of the same animal for more than one major operation.
Exceptions to the standards may be made only when specified by a research
protocol and an explanation is given for any deviation. Fines for
violations rise from $1,000 to $2,500 and from $500 to $1,500.
