Agency May Limit Frog|Movement Due to Fungus

WASHINGTON (CN) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering whether to ban the importation of amphibians and their eggs without a permit to stop the easily spread chytrid fungus, which has decimated frog populations worldwide.

The permit would certify that the amphibians and eggs were free of the fungus, and would also be required for trade within the United States.

Environmental activists, the Defenders of Wildlife, submitted the request for the prohibition because of its concern that "unregulated trade--primarily for pet use and as live animals for consumption as frog legs--continues to threaten the survival of many amphibian species, including domestic and foreign species listed by the Service under the Endangered Species Act."

If a rule is prepared, the agency may choose to issue permits for scientific, medical, educational or zoological purposes.

The agency requests information to aid it in determining wheather a proposed rule is warranted.

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