03-21-2014, 05:11 AM
Giant African Land Snails were introduced in Hawaii as an ornamental & a food crop (escargot farming) in 1936 but it was not s practical as they grew too tough here (they were raised in other, northern markets for food). They were introduced to Florida in 1966, after being a nuisance here...soo....
That said, the ones here now are 'free-range' and probably more tough than the farm raised, and some can be HUGE (bigger than a mans fist)
After the market failure here, they were introduced to Brazil & China. Brazil farming did not survive, but the GALS did, I think China is still active farming them...
They are a pet animal in the UK...
I am not an escargot fan (waste of a perfectly good garlic butter on rubbery things) so the thought of a tougher snail would not entice me to farming GALS...
There are ways to isolate produce from ratlung introduction, so a total avoidance of raw fruit & veggies is not the only answer, but many people prefer cooking to the potential exposure & is a great was to make sure that most pathogens are harmless, esp in any meat items.
That said, the ones here now are 'free-range' and probably more tough than the farm raised, and some can be HUGE (bigger than a mans fist)
After the market failure here, they were introduced to Brazil & China. Brazil farming did not survive, but the GALS did, I think China is still active farming them...
They are a pet animal in the UK...
I am not an escargot fan (waste of a perfectly good garlic butter on rubbery things) so the thought of a tougher snail would not entice me to farming GALS...
There are ways to isolate produce from ratlung introduction, so a total avoidance of raw fruit & veggies is not the only answer, but many people prefer cooking to the potential exposure & is a great was to make sure that most pathogens are harmless, esp in any meat items.