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Washington, D.C. – Under the guise of concern for the effects of “global climate change,” language that would bar the use of funds for the processing of polar bear import permits was offered on the House floor today by Rep. Inslee (D-WA) as an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill for FY 2008.

In reality, this language would further complicate polar bear management and detract from polar bear sustainability.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian government, NRA, Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Conservation Force, and many others are strongly opposed to this anti-polar bear so-called “conservation” measure as it would abolish real and vital conservation efforts that have led to an actual increase in polar bear populations.

“The proponents of this amendment would like you to believe the Chicken Little threats being thrown about,” said Rep. Young, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, on the floor of the House this afternoon.  “Instead of the sky is falling, it’s the Earth is warming and polar bears are in extreme danger of extinction.  We must act now.

“Let’s be clear, polar bears are not threatened and they are not endangered.  The worldwide population of polar bears is at a population level of 25,000.  While there may be polar bear populations feeling the effects of a warming climate, we need to remember that this species has survived past warming cycles.  This species is not at the end of its rope, on the contrary this species is very adept at modifying its behavior and surviving.    

“Thirteen of the 19 polar bear populations are under the jurisdiction of Canada.  Canada has one of the best management programs, using state of the art scientific practices to manage its populations.   

“While that should be enough, it is not the end of the oversight or management of polar bears in Canada.  The United States Marine Mammal Protection Act requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to review the status of polar bear populations in Canada.  After conducting the review, the Service approves stable and healthy populations.  Hunters can only import trophies from these approved populations. 

“Supporters of the amendment like to refer to the 1994 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act that allowed for the importation of polar bear trophies as a ‘loophole’.  These statements are far from the truth. 

“In the 1970’s, many marine mammal populations faced numerous threats.  The Marine Mammal Protection Act was very effective in restoring many marine mammal populations to healthy or historic levels.  Unfortunately, the Act does not discriminate between healthy marine mammal populations and those still in need of rebuilding.  Robust populations of marine mammals are treated like they are on the verge of extinction.

“While the 1994 amendments did not address this issue, the Democratic-controlled Congress, specifically those enlightened Members on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, had the foresight to understand that the sustainable use of resources and conservation activities were not mutually exclusive.  The Committee developed rigorous requirements to ensure the protection of the polar bear populations in Canada, while allowing for the importation of sport hunted polar bear trophies.              

“The idea of incentives, to give value to natural resources was very new at the time.  A similar program was developed for African communities to protect big game resources in Africa using the same incentive structure.  These programs have proven their worth and have been very successful.

“There will always be a sector of the population that believes we should not kill anything and eat grass, however, we need to keep in mind that there are still areas of the world that rely on the natural resources around them and still subsist on these resources.

“The argument is not that polar bears need to be protected due to the effects of a warming climate.  The argument is that certain groups do not like hunting and want it stopped.  

“The Canadian polar bear populations are healthy and well managed.  Sport hunting activities provide important incentives and support remote Native villages and important conservation programs in Canada, the U.S. and Russia. 

“I urge Members not to follow the easy emotional pull of the amendment and soundly object to it by voting no.”

For more information, access the Committee on Natural Resources’ Minority website at:

http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.shtml

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