Purpose: S. 540 overrides a 30-year-old law banning the sale of baby turtles as “pets.” This legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration to allow the sale of baby turtles as “pets.”
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Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry.
Action: OPPOSE. Please contact your two U.S. Senators and urge them to oppose S. 540. Tell your Senators that the sale of turtles less than 4 inches has been banned in the United States since 1975. Ask your Senators not to overturn this longstanding protection for children and turtles and OPPOSE S 540.
Talking Points for your letter:
- Since 1975, it has been illegal to sell small turtles in the United States to prevent the spread of Salmonella. This rule has protected children’s health, animal welfare and the environment.
- Turtles pose a high risk of spreading disease — especially to children. Despite the health risk, turtles have become popular pets in recent years. Their slow movements and colorful shells may make them seem like the perfect family pet. However, turtles carry potentially dangerous bacteria called Salmonella.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the ban on selling small turtles prevents 100,000 children from getting salmonella annually.
- The trade in pet turtles also threatens animal welfare and the environment. Countless turtles die due to poor shipping methods and inadequate care. Turtles released and escaped from the pet trade endanger native species.
- Some turtle farmers claim to breed salmonella-free turtles; however, there is no effective way to keep them free of salmonella.
- The current regulation prohibiting sales of small turtles should remain intact.