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photo by Marcus Frazier
A tiny turtle.
Farm bill makes turtle sales legal
Published Monday, January 7, 2008
WILDSVILLE — For the first time since 1975, selling small pet turtles is legal.
The transmission of turtles smaller than 10.2 centimeters in diameter— whether by sale or donation — has been illegal for the last 31 years because of the risk they might transfer salmonella, a bacteria the turtles transfer to humans that causes illness.
But since then farmers have developed ways to ensure the reptiles are salmonella free, and the U.S. Farm Bill passed in December had an amendment that repealed the tiny turtle ban.
U.S. Sen. David Vitter and U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander sponsored the turtle amendment. The Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419) that included the amendment passed 79-14.
For Wildsville turtle farmer Jesse Evans the new legislation won’t change much of what he’s done for years.
“The big turtle market is in China, but the price has gotten down to where it doesn’t pay to send them over there,” he said.
In the United States there are so many turtle producers that the market will pretty much keep their prices low.
“I don’t think it would have a big impact on the market in the U.S.,” he said. “It’s so competitive.”
Though the small turtles aren’t ultra-profitable, Evans has run Concordia Turtle Farm since 1968.
The farming process begins when the turtles come out of hibernation in the spring, Evans said.
Once the turtles start to lay their eggs on the levees around the turtle ponds, the eggs are gathered daily, and all dirt is removed from the eggs before they are soaked for 10 minutes in a water and Clorox solution.
After that, they are cleaned in a commercial washer.
“We run them through an egg washer manufactured for chicken eggs,” Evans said.
Once washed, the eggs are placed in a special vacuum tank to eradicate any salmonella. After that, they are placed in incubation trays until they hatch, at which time a state veterinarian certifies they are salmonella free.
Despite these safeguards, Evans said he has heard rumors from Washington that the repeal of the ban may be repealed itself, but even if that happens he still has the foreign markets he has been selling to for years.
“I have been doing this since 1968,” he said. “It’s just about time for me to quit, so I’ll stick with it for a few more years.”
Comments
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 1:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I mean eally....exactly how much fun can a pet turtle be?
They are cute, but after a day or two even I would lose interest! LOL
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can just see a kid throwing a stick across the yard and saying fetch boy...then waiting a week for the turtle to get back with that stick!!
Giggling here, just being silly!
Posted by firered (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 1:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey I had a pet turtle a few years ago... Its just like pet fish... no use but still cool to have! I wouldn't mind having another, I remember when I was like 3 or 4 going to my uncle's house and playing w/ turtles that were that small... its fun when you are younger!
Then again I am one of those people who want a farm full of animals one day! LOL!
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 1:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know fire red, but you know my little fetch joke was funny!
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 3:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I used to have some when I was young. I wouldn't mind getting some again for the grands to enjoy when they visit. One thing I liked about them is because they pretty much do nothing but lay around, while you are watching it, it makes you slow down long enough to relax and make your mind more at ease. I find that most animals help me get my mind off of other things.
Posted by LocustStorm (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've had 4 of these turtles, for about 8 years now. I got them when they were no bigger than a quarter, and now they are as big as my hand. The "fun" is about the same as you get from a fishtank. Basically, that's all it is.. you set up a nice tank for them, with a light, and you marvel at their beauty...
These turtles live for A LONG TIME, so if you "get bored" quickly with pets, then you shouldn't get any.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had a turtle too, and it was very small (not sure if smaller than 10.2 cm). Did I read the article right where it says they were illegal to sell? My parents bought mine at a pet store, so it must not of been a law that was enforced.
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Turtle soup is awesome.
Posted by millam (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have owned turtles for about 6 years now and I must add that even though it is legal to sell little turtles, small turtles are harder to keep alive than larger turtles because people often don't take good care of them, mostly because they don't know how. If they are not taken care of they can develop many illnesses like: metabolic bone disease aka nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, Kidney failure, Liver failure, upper respiratory infections, hypovitaminosis A, stomatitis (mouth infection), and the list goes on.
Owning a turtle is not something to take lightly they are WAY more EXPEN$IVE than fish. Please check out the following link to read more about proper care of turtles as each species has its own dietary and aquarium/terrarium requirements.
http://www.chelonia.org/care.htm
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i don't like this new layout at all!!!!
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fergus Falls doesn't have turtles.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on January 7, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
alright!!!turtles don't like to hear propaganda form wannabe journalist and yes they can hear.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lol.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((Username)) i didn't hijack nothing.. it's facts it DID HAPPEN! and if you notice we went back to the story.
use them for medcine?? hmm... wondering what type of meds you can get from a turtle?? i'll send them some over if the price is right lol
Posted by Username (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe buttercup hijacked a story about turtles with this FAUX news war propaganda.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HELLO !!!! These turtles are not shipped to China for pets...They eat them & use them for medicine..
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that's exactly what i'm trying to find out... my kids got some money they don't even know about! hahaha!! i'm still wondering how much these lil boogers are going for??
Posted by crystal0429 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, my son catches these little turtles all the time, he could be overflowing in money, haha.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL!! MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!! i just can't believe this goes on like on a daily basis almost (from what the aritcle says its happen ALOT) and nothing is being done... i sure it doesn't take one OF OUR SHIPS WITH OUR PEOPLE ON IT TO BLOW UP BEFORE something is said to these people!! then again they blow us up and say 'OOPS DIDN'T RECONGIZE THE HUGE ***USA*** ON SIDE OF THE SHIP!!!!!' GRR!! IT BURNS MY BUTT!!
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
they recognized each other alright! the speedboats were probably from the IRG (Iranian Revolutionary Guard)so the article states. these fools could care less whether they die or not just as long as they kill Americans. so let 'em die!
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow, so it did kind of happen.. huh?? what's going to happen when they don't 'regonize each other' as the article states??? that's going to BE ONE MESSED UP DAY!! i hope it never comes to that.. but dang... IRAN IS GETTING COCKY
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
here it is butter...http://www.foxnews.com/world/index.html
to the side click on the article about speedboats....
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thank you ((rocketman)) i swear it was FOX but then again when it dawned on me what i had heard i looked up and BUSH was talking about not upping the taxes!! (ugh) that's why i was asking... (i may of got it all twisted) now i'm reading about that soldier's last blog and listening to the song 'FREEDOM IS FREE' wow... everyone should have the song going while trying to read this mans last word... wow... http://andrewolmsted.com/
Posted by rocketman (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
try foxnews.com (I just checked but if it did happened, Fox hasn't gotten hold of it yet)
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hahaha... wow, well i have been doing it the illegal way for some time now!!! my kids come back home with ALL KINDS OF DANG TURTLES!! (the ponds around here are overflowing with them) wonder how much these things are going for?? i could be sitting on a gold mind!!
ya'll i am watching fox news (totally off subject i know) and i heard something about how one of our ships where just over in IRAN waters (territory) and they THREATEN US said something like if OUR SHIP DON'T TURN AROUND THEY WERE GOING TO BLOW US UP??? but changed their minds after like 2 more ships and a few helicopters POPPED UP OUTTA NO WHERE..
am i hearing this right??? it was on tv soo it should be online some where huh?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't remember where I read it or heard it but some of these turtles carry diseases or are potentially dangerous to babies or very small infants with compromised immune systems. I guess they may have potential problems that have been associated with lizards.
Just be aware of any health risks they may pose to you, your family or any visiting friends.
Posted by wonderingirl (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When my sons were small, they had a little turtle they named Herbie because they thought he looked like the movie Volkswagen. When we went out of town for an extended trip, my parents were asked to petsit with Herbie. My Mom confessed later that she had my Daddy study Herbie's spots and colors. This was in case the petsitting turned tragic, my Daddy could find a replacement Herbie when he went fishing before we got back. Fortunately, this was not necessary but I smile at the memory of her not wanting to disappoint two little boys!
Posted by Username (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!
FAUX news reports----Al-Queda in Iran are using suicide turtles to simulate another Gulf of Tonkin incident!
Tune into FAUX news for more on this breaking terror alert.
while waiting maybe we should all tape our windows shut and get under the bed with our gas masks on.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 8, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
comments are missing on this page too????? what is the deal???
Posted by watcheznatchez (anonymous) on January 12, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Turns out this article is FAUX too. It is still illegal to sell small turtles. There's no way to guarantee reptiles are salmonella free. And the Farm Bill hasn't even passed.
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