Turtles Head To A Nearby Pet Shop Soon

You read it here first: The Senate was up to passing an amendment to lift the 1975 ban on those little pet turtles baby boomers had growing up. And yesterday they did it.

The vote was 93-1, passing a bill called the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Revitalization Act, which included the key amendment offered by U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La.

In 1975, according to her release, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned turtle farmers from selling turtle eggs and turtles fewer than four inches in length to protect pet owners from salmonella. A provision in Sen. Landrieu's amendment would require all turtles sold to be treated for salmonella, providing for the safe sale of turtles as pets.

It would also require the dissemination of literature regarding risks involved with salmonella in turtles and how to properly protect turtle owners and children.

"My amendment frees Louisiana's turtle farmers from outdated FDA regulations that have crippled them for more than 30 years," Landrieu said.

By Paul Bedard