Part I. Establish a value of each affected business

Excerpted from the Federal Register Assessment of the
Captive Wildlife Safety Act’s Expected Impact on US Citizens

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)

Most of the businesses that commercially trade in the prohibited wildlife species, in interstate or foreign commerce, would be considered small businesses as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. These businesses are most logically placed in three primary industries: Zoos and Botanical Gardens; Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions; and All Other Animal Production.

The SBA size standard for the first two industries (Zoos and Botanical Gardens; Nature Parks) is $6 million in average annual receipts,

and the SBA size standard for the third industry (All Other Animal Production) is $.75 million in average annual receipts.

However, it should be noted that the nature of these businesses would require that most, if not all, of them must be licensed or registered under the AWA by APHIS, making them eligible for one of the exemptions provided in the CWSA.

However, we recognize that there may be small businesses that do not fit into any of the above categories and are not eligible for one of the exemptions provided in the CWSA. We ask the public for data on these small businesses to enable us to determine the impact of this proposed rule on those small businesses.

Conclusion:

This excerpt sets a value on each of these US businesses as established by the SBA at the Federal level. Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Nature Parks average 6 million in annual receipts, and all other animal production averages .75 million in annual receipts.

Part II. Establish what current and legal businesses would be affected

USDA licensees in NC
License Type     Total # Licensees:
A                               11
B                               35
C                               74
H                                4
R                               27
T                                2
Total 153

Impact of a ban on exotic wildlife licensing in this state:
Remove A licensees w/small animals only -7
Remove the 5 AZA C license holders exempted -5
Remove pet oriented H license holders -4
Remove R license educational institutions -16
Remove R license commercial institutions -13
Remove 2 T licensee transporters exempted -2
Remaining licensees affected by this ban 106

Conclusion:

This assessment of current licensees determines 106 affected businesses, assuming no multiple licenses are issued to a single facility. 69 Class C licensees (Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Nature Parks), 4 Class A licensees and 35 Class B licensees (Other Animal Production) remain affected. The removal, even if not immediate, of all large attraction animals, would eventually reduce the ability of these small businesses to function. In addition, several business facilities not currently required to be licensed (private collections, sanctuaries closed to the public, breeders who do not sell animals) are not represented in the above list. Conservatively, we will assume a minimal 5 of these in the state for an additional 5 Other Animal Production businesses affected. Serpentariums, popular educational and tourist destinations, and herp breeders account for another group of businesses not required to be USDA licensed. Conservatively, we can estimate 10 reptile exhibitors/educators and 20 herp breeders who deal with venomous reptiles or large constrictors operate in this state, for another 10 Zoos and 20 Other Animal Production businesses.

Additional businesses affected by a ban on the captive keeping of exotic animals would include feed and livestock stores and the manufacturers and dealers of fencing, caging, farm and livestock handling equipment.

Part III. Assess total affect on loss of commerce

69 USDA Licensed Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Nature Parks x $6 million = $414 million
39 USDA Licensed other animal production businesses x $.75 million = $29.25 million
5 non-licensed businesses at animal production business level x $.75 million = $3.75 million
10 reptile exhibitors/educators x $.2 million = $2 million
20 non-licensed herp breeders who deal with affected species x $.75 million = $15 million

Conclusion:

Total cost of lost businesses: $464 million lost in commerce in NC

This conservative estimate from the Federal Register does not include forthcoming estimates from the travel and tourism industry on lost revenue from tourism due to the closing of popular local attractions.