La. wins delay on Calif. alligator ban

A federal judge in California has granted Louisiana's request to temporarily block a ban on the sale of alligator products, officials said Friday.

“The temporary restraining order is the first step in protecting Louisiana’s alligator industry, which creates jobs, supports our economy and contributes to much-needed coastal restoration efforts,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a news release.

The state Attorney General's Office sued over the ban earlier this month, saying California represents 30 percent of the world's market for alligator hides, of which Louisiana is the nation's largest producer. Louisiana officials argue the ban would devastate that industry and harm the coastal conservation efforts it supports.

The state Wildlife and Fisheries Department estimates the industry produces a conservative $100 million a year for farmers, trappers and others in Louisiana. Terrebonne and Lafourche have traditionally ranked among the state's top parishes for both wild and farmed alligator hides and meat.

Until this week's court ruling, the ban was scheduled to take effect Wednesday with the start of the new year.

California's Legislature banned all alligator and crocodile imports, domestic and foreign, this fall in a package of animal-protection measures, including a prohibition on fur sales.

Supporters say the ban aims to curb animal cruelty and the sale of endangered species. It's backed by a coalition of animal-rights and environmental groups, including Defenders of Wildlife, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club.

Louisiana argues its conservation programs have brought the alligator population from near extinction to nearly 3 million in the wild and on farms.

“I hope the courts will understand the unique combination of the industry’s effort to care for the alligator population and the need to be good stewards of the environment where the alligators live,” state Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet said.

But the animal-rights coalition says that is not the case with some species in various parts of the world.

“There is considerable evidence that international trafficking in wildlife, particularly endangered animals, is a significant problem in California as well as the rest of the United States,” the coalition said in a statement as the legislation wound through California's Legislature.  “Because of the similar appearance of the leather of various crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials, combined with inadequate tracking legal harvest, it is virtually impossible for consumers to distinguish between products made from legally farmed as opposed to wild-caught endangered animals.”

The federal court in California is scheduled to consider Louisiana's request for a preliminary injunction April 24. That would put the ban on hold until the court case is resolved.

“I am encouraged to see the court is taking a hard look at the irreparable harm California’s alligator ban will impose on our industry and Louisiana’s coastal conservation efforts," said Al Sunseri, chairman of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. I hope this order gives the industry the confidence it needs to know that we are fighting for it.”

-- Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith.magill@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.