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Congressional Proposal Supports Turtle Farmers

Linda Benedict, Bogren, Richard C.  |  3/6/2007 2:33:12 AM

Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., have co-sponsored a bill to permit the domestic sale of baby turtles in the United States.

The measure would be an economic boon for the turtle farming industry in Louisiana.

At the same time, each member of Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation cosponsored the companion bill introduced by Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La.

“For the first time in more than three decades, this legislation would allow domestic turtle sales, which will greatly help many of our struggling Louisiana farmers,” Landrieu said in a press release.

“The FDA regulation prohibiting domestic sales unfairly discriminates against our farmers who can sell pet turtles without health risk. Despite technology that can nearly eradicate salmonella in turtles, the FDA has, to this point, refused to reconsider its position.”

The bill requires that turtle farmers treat turtles for salmonella before sale.


(This article was published in the winter 2007 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.)
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