In the video they talk about ceasing the issuing of permits for the import of LIVE turtles and frogs for the food market. Anything that comes in as meat would be OK. The frog and turtle keepers have gotten a pass for now, but if you watch the video it is very clear that they left things open for more severe restrictions in the future.

The beaded lizard issue is completely separate, but was discussed at the same meeting (its also on the video). A group of us has been following this issue for the last month or so since we were alerted to pending changes in the Restricted Species regs. It was during this time that some of us noticed the turtle and frog ban in the works, so we alerted concerned parties immediately.

Two issues are at hand. First, they are looking at adding beaded lizards (currently legal to keep without a permit in California) to the restricted species list by changing the language from restricting only the reticulared gila monster to restricting the entire genus Heloderma. Second, they are (among other things) looking to change the language in the restricted species permit regs such that you could no longer breed restricted species for commercial purposes (which is currently legal under a Section 671 permit). There are a number of other problems we have with the proposed regs that I won't go into right now, but the biggest effect of these proposed changes is that anyone who currently holds a permit to breed and sell gila monsters in California would no longer be allowed to do so. Additionally, although those who currently own beaded lizards would be grandfathered in, they too would be restricted from breeding for commercial purposes.

No decisions were made on these issues at this meeting, but we will be at the next commission meeting in Monterey to fight these changes further.


>>I agree. Something just isn't quite right here. What about frog legs for food. Perfectly acceptable. None live, or what? I'm pretty sure a large number of frozen processed frogs come in from Asia, to satisfy the U.S. market. Pretty sure they would enter somewhere in California.
>>How in the heck does the Beaded Lizard equate to a food issue?
>>Sounds to me like they are being less than candid here.
>>Stay on 'em!
>>jsc
>>-----
>>"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
>>John Crickmer

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