Lacey Act of 1900

Draft Year: 1900Amendment years: 1935, 1947, 1969, 1981, 1988, 1989National: Only regulated inside the United StatesPreston Crowell

Description and Environmental Issues Affected

Description:

- Introduced by John F. Lacey; ratified in 1900 by President McKinley.

- It is not legal to import, export, transport or sell any illegally obtained fish or plant from another country to the United States.

- Its purpose is to protect plant and animal species from international countries.

Environmental Issues Affected:

- The Biodiversity of ecosystems worldwide are protected due to this law.

- It eliminated the smuggling of animals from international countries to the United States, therefore decreasing the amount of invasive specie

- It eliminated hunting without license

- It eliminated pet trade and the importation of illegally harvested fish into the U.S.

Agencies regulating the Lacey Act

The United States Customs Service helps regulate the Lacey Act by searching travelers luggage prior to permitting them to depart from international countries to the United States.

The Fish an Wildlife Service also assists in regulating the Lacey Act.