Important - north hertfordshire county council

[PawsForThought]

We have just received this email from Peregrine Livefoods

Hello,

If you run a shop in the North Hertfordshire County Council area and sell Reptiles (or Dogs and Cats) then the council will shortly changing its policy to prohibit you from doing so. The council currently operates a policy of “discouraging” the selling of Reptiles but on Thursday night will take a vote to change this policy and prohibit selling of Reptiles from shops that they issue a pet shop license to. This decision is based on fears that good reptile welfare cannot be achieved, which we know is not true.

If you are covered by this council then you should make a representation to the council about this and if possible attend the meeting to make your views known. REPTA are willing to provide a speaker to argue against this but would need a local firm to ask them to speak on their behalf. If you are in the area and would like REPTA to speak on your behalf, or would like more information then please e-mail Chris Newman at repta@btconnect.com

Details of the meeting, the proposal and towns affected are shown below.

Regards,
Dave

We obviously aren't in this area though very concerned about what this may mean for the reptile hobby in the UK.

[LFBP-NEIL]

I think if anyone lives is this area you should go into your local petshop and make them aware of the situation - even if they dont sell reptiles. From what i can make of the message it seems Repta need inviting before they can turn up to put our (the reptile keepers of the UK) point across!

So if you live in the area go rattle your local pet shop and ask them to call in the A-team! Or chris Newman.

Hopefully someone from REPTA will post to clarify the situation.

[Tung Chung]

Pretty concerning if this is true and somewhat heavy handed.

Can't see the vote being passed though

[maddragon29]

I can understand where they are coming from tbh.... however it's a bit harsh to stop EVERYONE from selling.

[Golgarth]

That's ridiculous. Wonder who is behind that one.

[Zak]

Originally Posted by Golgarth

That's ridiculous. Wonder who is behind that one.

Give you 3 guesses but imagine you'll only need 1.

Sounds very interesting, something id like to hear more about. By prohibiting the legal sale of reptiles, they're just going to drive it underground and thats when real problems will arise.

[Chris Newman]

I only found out about this proposal on Monday morning, I immediately wrote to the Council and below is there reply.


Mr Newman

The Chairman has agreed to allow you a maximum of 5 minutes to present your case to the Committee on Thursday evening. There will be a number of other speakers (kennel and cattery owners), and they will also be limited to 5 minutes each.

Thanks.

Ian Gourlay

-----Original Message-----
From: repta@btconnect.com [mailto:repta@btconnect.com]
Sent: 02 November 2009 11:38
To: Ian Gourlay
Subject: Licensing & Appeals Committee meeting 5th November at 7:30pm.

Dear Sir,

My name is Chris Newman and I am chairman of REPTA [Reptile & Exotic Pet Trade Associate]. I have this morning been forward details of a Licensing & Appeals Committee meeting to take place on the 5th November at 7:30pm.

I am very disturbed at the item listed below, i.e. the proposed prohibition on the sale of reptiles:

Licensing & Appeals (5.11.09)

5.1.4 Historically, the Council have actively discouraged the sale
of reptiles, puppies and kittens for welfare reasons. With the added emphasis on animal welfare provided by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Council will now prohibit the sale of reptiles, puppies and kittens by way of license conditions.


Prohibiting the sale of reptiles on 'welfare' grounds is in direct conflict with all available scientific evidence, it may be of benefit to the Council to refer to the governments scientific advisor on animal welfare, the Companion Animal Welfare Councils report:

REPORT ON THE WELFARE OF NON-DOMESTICATED ANIMALS KEPT FOR COMPANIONSHIP http://www.cawc.org.uk/sites/default...CAWCRepNDA.pdf

This was published 2003 and in essence concluded that some reptiles are easier to keep to high welfare than some breeds of dogs!

Indeed in the UK today there are more reptiles kept as pets, as opposed to dogs. In 2008 the reptile industry was valued at over £100m. The proposal by the Council would have direct effects on several of our members and I would therefore welcome the opportunity to submit a report to the Licensing Committee opposing the proposed ban. Indeed if desirable I would be happy to attend this meeting to advocate on behalf of the trade.

I look forward to you reply.

Best regards,
Chris Newman
REPTA

[PawsForThought]

GO CHRIS!

Best of luck to you!

[Zak]

Excellent. Im glad they've given you a chance to get your side across.

[Jim_Fear]

So tonight is the night for this eh? Chris, I hope it went well!