California Fish & Game Commission Rushes to Ban Turtles & Frogs; Move Could Negatively Impact California Jobs

LOS ANGELES, March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a move that seems to be primarily targeted toward Asian culture and food markets, CA Fish & Game Commissioners seek to ban all trade in non-native turtles and frogs in the Golden State. While citing environmental concerns and attempting to curb Asian choice in cuisine the real damage would be felt by the unrelated business of closed system farming of reptiles & amphibians, aka Herpetoculture.  If the proposed ban were enacted the consequences for Herpetoculture could be wholesale economic destruction and confiscation of property rights. California is a world leader in the production of high quality captive bred reptiles & amphibians for Research, Zoos, Museums, Entertainment, collectors and hobbyists. High quality animals produced in CA are exported to states across the US, as well as to Canada, Europe and Asia.

Members of the Animal Rights Industry have been outspoken in their support of a total ban on non-native frogs & turtles. Some groups even threatened lawsuits at the Fish & Game Commission meeting in February. The most vocal proponent is the Humane Society of the United States. HSUS has a long standing ideological position against the keeping of reptiles & amphibians in captivity. Although they have articulated the threat of disease and environmental pressure on native species, no credible scientific evidence has been presented to support these claims.

The US Chamber of Commerce recently opposed a similar measure in the US House of Representatives citing the negative impact on jobs and the economy. The measure apparently failed due to the overreaching nature and cost of the proposed legislation. A spokesman for the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) commented that, "Herpetoculturists would be happy to work with the CA Fish & Game Commission to ensure secure containment and environmental integrity, but an all out ban is unnecessary and would hurt jobs and families in California". The spokesman added that, "USARK would welcome the opportunity to work with the Fish & Game Commission on potential alternatives. There is no need to rush into this."

The California Fish & Game Commission will hold a meeting to discuss the matter on Wednesday March 3, 2010 in Ontario, CA.

SOURCE United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK)

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