Asians in North V.A can no longer sell bullfrogs for dinner

In the U.S Asian people make up less than 5 percent of the total population, according to the latest Census data. In Northern Virginia, the population of Asians is almost 14 percent.

Of course the culture in North V.A reflects the population: There are plenty of Asian businesses including markets like "Great Wall" which used to sell Asian food like bullfrogs and turtles.

Unfortunately for Asians in the area, the frogs and turtles were snatched up by state agents and charges were pressed against the market's owners for "illegally stealing wildlife."

Lee Walker, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said that the laws were necessary to protect wildlife, and that charges were leveled only after a warning went unheeded.

“We really try to educate folks about the regulations before we ever try to bring charges,” he said. “In this case, every attempt was made to educate about what’s legal. And, unfortunately, action was not taken.”

The store owners are also taking legal action to have the local laws changed. If successful, they will once again be allowed to sell turtles and frogs to their Asian neighbors for consumption.

[New York Times]