1. A. No person may import turtles or turtle eggs of any species from any other state or foreign country unless they are a certified turtle farmer.

2. B. Viable turtle eggs and live turtles with a carapace length of less than four inches shall not be sold or offered for any other type of commercial or public distribution within the state of Louisiana.

   1. 1. Exceptions:

      1. a. the sale, holding for sale, and distribution of viable turtle eggs and live turtles with a carapace length of less than four inches for bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibitional purposes, other than use as pets;
      2. b. the sale and distribution of viable turtle eggs and live turtles with a carapace length of less than four inches to a certified turtle farmer.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:2358.2 and 3:2358.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health Services, LR 17:351 (April 1991), amended by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of the Commissioner, LR 26:1569 (August 2000), repromulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety and the Board of Animal Health, LR 40:980 (May 2014), amended by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety, LR 45:32 (January 2019), repromulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety, LR 45:505 (April 2019).