|
MAKE A DONATION TO
THE FBH FIGHTING FUND
|
|
|
|
| CONCERNING THE DRAFT AWB BILL |
19.11.04 |
A Meeting organised by the Federation of British Herpetologists and the Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association, held at Cotswold Wildlife Park on 15th August 2004.
The first draft of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill was published by DEFRA on 14th July. Following its publication, the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) decided to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of this draft Bill, and invited all interested parties to submit written evidence that addressed the provisions of the draft Bill......
Full report Available on the Download Page |
| THE PETITION |
22.04.04 |
| THE PETITION
In the current RSPCA policy document Policies on animal welfare (revised 2003) it is stated that:-
"Exotic animals such as snakes, lizards and terrapins often carry disease, are difficult to look after and are rarely provided with adequate facilities. Such animals are unsuitable as companion animals"
Such thinking flies in the face of current opinion which is that for many households, the more traditional pet, such as a cat or dog is totally unsuitable and a reptile, which can be provided with its own micro-environment, is a preferable option. This is particularly true when owners are at work all day, where members of the family have allergies, or where the overall environment is unsuitable for other pets. Reptiles are excellent pet animals for those living in flats, people without access to a garden or those living in close proximity to wildlife sensitive areas.
The recent REPORT ON THE WELFARE OF NON-DOMESTICATED ANIMALS KEPT FOR COMPANIONSHIP produced by THE COMPANION ANIMAL WELFARE COUNCIL (12 June 2003) supports the view of the pro-reptile keeping organisations, stating:- "it may be easier to keep some non-domesticated species to high welfare standards than some that are domesticated. Thus, meeting all the requirements - space, dietary, social, thermal, and so on - of a small, hardy, reptile may be more readily achievable for many people than adequately fulfilling all the needs of some breeds of dog"
Reptiles, in common with all animals, can occasionally be a source of disease which can be transmitted to humans, but the chance of contracting such a disease is far less than from most other pet species. It has been categorically proved time and time again that mammalian pets certainly present a far greater risk than reptiles. In term of safety, reptiles have been demonstrated to be the second safest pet animal, with only tropical
fish a safer option.
It is also a fallacy that reptiles are difficult to look after and difficult to provide with adequate facilities. Nowadays the vast range of products, literature and equipment available means that keeping a small reptile is as easy as keeping a mouse or hamster.
Please sign THE PETITION
http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=994
|
| FBH Survey .... |
15.01.04 |
Dear Keeper,
As you may be aware, preparation of the Animal Welfare Bill (AWB) is in progress and this will be the most significant shake up of animal welfare legislation in the last 100 years, setting the future of animal welfare legislation for decades to come. As you are also undoubtedly aware, the reptile industry/hobby is under unprecedented pressure to be banned or severely curtailed by a whole raft of organisations, not least of which is the RSPCA.
It now appears that the original intention to make no distinction between domesticated and non-domesticated species may have changed. It would appear quite possible that we will see a category for so-called 'exotics' which will require some form of licensing in order to be kept. This licensing could be of similar form to that of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA), if you remember the RSPCA demanded all snakes capable of reaching two meters must be listed under the DWAA (included all harmless species), and it is probably no coincidence that the current review of this legislation has stagnated. DEFRA stated that we would see the final round of consultation on the DWAA in mid summer last year but this has not happened and no date has yet been set. It may well be that many species set to be removed from the DWAA, as per Andrew Greenwood's recommendations, would then be caught under the auspices of the AWB.
So what is the hobby facing and what implications could it have for you as a keeper? What would happen if reptile and amphibian keeping was banned, or severely restricted by the introduction of licensing & perhaps insurance? What would happen if minimum standards for keeping these animals were imposed and who would set these standards? Do you think measures such as these would adversely affect your hobby?
In the worse case scenario ALL so called "exotics" would be banned from private ownership, but this fortunately is exceptionally unlikely. What is likely is some form of licensing for the keeping and trading in what might be termed "sensitive species". Candidates identified by the RSPCA, however nonsensical to us, might include: chameleons, certain geckos, iguanas, monitors, some pythons & boas, uromastyx, tortoises, crocodilians and many others.
Under the AWB the government has signaled its intention to implement a system of issuing 'improvement notices', currently in use only for farmed animals. In essence, the objective of the improvement notice is to prevent potential suffering. Under farmed animal legislation the state veterinary service has powers of entry to farms and can issue an improvement notice when they believe the manner in which an animal is being kept could ultimately be detrimental to the welfare of that animal. The notice sets out what is needed to be done to rectify problems and gives a statutory time period to comply. This is compulsory - failure to comply is an offence. This is now expected to be applied to all animals and the RSPCA have already asked DEFRA for this power. At this time it is certain they will be given it unless immediate action is taken to prevent this.
In 1999 the RSPCA wrote to every local authority in the country and for this first time in writing set out their opposition to selling animals in pet shops. I quote from the letter:-
" The RSPCA is opposed to the sale of animals in pet shops. This opposition is based on our experience of the public buying pets on impulse and also on the poor welfare standards our staff witness in some shops themselves".
"The sale of exotic species is cause for particular concern as staff may not be well-versed in how to care for them and consequently new owners often have less knowledge of the animals complex requirements"
The RSPCA have been running a ruthless campaign against reptile keeping for over a decade, culminating in the report 'Morbidity & Mortality in Private Reptile Husbandry' published in 2001 and calling for the banning of private keeping of nearly all species of CITES listed reptiles, a précis of this was sent to all local authorities in 2002. If the RSPCA are handed this new power then they will almost certainly get powers of entry to commercial properties, i.e. pet shops, wholesalers, commercial breeders etc. This could be disastrous for the pet industry (and indeed pet keeping) so we must act now and give strong opposition.
The RSPCA are also opposed to any form of reptile show/fair, even private members meeting, and are calling for these to be banned under the AWB. If they are opposed the sale of animals from specialist pet shops, and they are opposed to breeders meeting, is not the logical conclusion that are simply opposed to the sale and therefore keeping of reptiles? Or perhaps they will suggest they should only be sold from your home!
So what are we asking you to do? Simply help us to collect data for a report on the size, nature and structure of the reptile industry, and data pertaining to the keeping of reptiles in captivity. The objective of this survey is to collate, for the first time, and present to the government a comprehensive survey of the reptile hobby and industry. In order to do this we need your assistance in asking as many of your customers as possible to complete the attached questionnaire. This is entirely anonymous.
FINISHED
Yours sincerely, Chris Newman Editor Reptilian Magazine www.cviewmedia.com
Chairman Federation of British Herpetologists |
| FBH Discredits R.S.P.C.A. in Live Radio Debate |
30/09/02 |
The BBC recently contacted me with a view to my appearing on London’s Inside Out programme which was to feature the R.S.P.C.A. in their daily dealings with exotic pets.
This programme was to be followed by a live studio debate at which I would be able to speak in defense of “exotics” Download full transcript here |
DGHT Conference |
25/09/02 |
The FBH attended the DGHT Conference in Germany on September 21st 2001,
Report to follow |
FBH FORUM NOW LIVE |
27/07/02 |
You can contact the registered members of the FBH committee through the forum, and take part in discussions on a wide range of subjects FBH FORUM |
Delivery of Reptilian Petition |
05/05/02 |
|
|
Chris Newman, Reptilian magazine & FBH Chairman and Brian Hughes, Nature Council of Aviculture outside the DEFRA Offices in Page Street. >> FULL REPORT
|
Reptilian Petition |
24/04/02 |
Results from the Reptilian Magazines Petition
There were 1,119 online signatures plus 6,147 paper signatures.
Making a total of 7,266 Signatures. |
|
FIRST VICTORY |
23/10/01 |
You are probably aware of the raid, and subsequent seizure of animals, from the North East on Thursday the 11th October. ( summary of News Article ) I now have the opportunity to make a few more details available.
As I suggested in my information release of the 12th the seizure of these animals was in fact unlawful. Backed by the British Federation of Herpetologists (FBH) I was able to arrange a barrister and solicitor to represent the person concerned. After extensive review and gathering of facts pertaining to this case it was decided to make a challenge through the courts for the return of the animals. I am delighted to inform you today that our challenge in court yesterday was successful and the courts ordered the return of the animals seized forthwith.
The matter if far from concluded and now that the animals have been returned to the rightful and appropriate home we must now reflect on what we have learnt from this appalling experience and prevent it from occurring again. I am currently reviewing what our options are in respect of both criminal and civil action against the perpetrators of this seizure.
I cannot at this time make more details of this matter available but please rest assured that at the appropriate time all details regarding this matter will be put in the public domain.
We will be issuing guidelines for both private keepers and commercial enterprises as to exactly what your rights are should you receive a visit from the RSPCA, or other similar organisation.
I would like to express my gratitude to the people that made this possible. The committee of the FBH for make funds available, to the barrister and solicitor who did such a sterling job, and finally to those people, who shall remain nameless for the time being, who gave up their time to recover the animals at a moment's notice. Last but not least, to the police for their assistance in this matter.
Finally, to all who seek to oppress us, be advised: TREAD ON US AND WE WILL BITE BACK.
Chris Newman
Editor Reptilian magazine
Chairman Federation of British Herpetologists |
|
