Maidstone Reptile Expo's Spring & Summer 2010

[DazedLewis]

this is so annoying I was looking forward to maidstone :/

[stefnellie]

is the one in august still on???

[c-bebell222]

Originally Posted by HS

Two dates for your 2010 diaries...

Maidstone Reptile Breeders Expos

Spring: Sunday 18th April 2010 Summer: Sunday 29th August 2010

Market Hall

Lockmeadow Centre

Barker Road

Maidstone

Kent

ME16 8LW

Bookings not yet available. But information is. E:mail Darren at mrac@sky.com

Hi there..how much is it to get into the expo.and what are the openin and closing times etc?
cheers
cb

[Zimey]

Originally Posted by c-bebell222

Hi there..how much is it to get into the expo.and what are the openin and closing times etc?
cheers
cb

Dude if you read the thread its says its been cancelled

[Natrix]

For those that are wondering why yet another show has been cancelled, this press release was issued by APA yesterday.
APA and IAR are working very hard at the moment to stop every reptile show out there so expect more shows to follow this one as councils are duped into banning perfectly legal events.

Natrix

For immediate release


Maidstone Council is commended by animal groups for disallowing a reptile market


The Animal Protection Agency (APA) and International Animal Rescue (IAR) are delighted that Maidstone Borough Council has effectively refused permission for a reptile market due to take place this Sunday, 18 April 2010 at the Lockmeadow Centre.



The terms for hire of the Market Hall at the Lockmeadow Centre now include a standard condition that prohibits the sale, or advertising for sale, of animals. The sale of pets at markets was outlawed in 1983 under the Pet Animals Act 1951.



Last year, on 30 August, investigators from the APA and IAR attended a reptile market organised by the ‘Maidstone Reptile and Amphibian Club’, an amateur group of hobbyists and dealers, at the Lockmeadow Centre. Investigators gathered evidence of illegal animal dealing and appalling animal welfare conditions. The sheer volume of animals on sale was inconsistent with the organisers’ claims that the stallholders were private individuals selling a few of their own surplus pets.



Said Animal Protection Agency spokesperson, Elaine Toland:



“We’re very pleased to see that market trading of reptiles will not be tolerated by Maidstone Council. We have been working alongside local authorities around the country to counter illegal reptile markets and this work seems to be paying off. Unfortunately, event organisers will no doubt persist in mis-representing their events as ‘breeders meetings’ and ‘reptile shows’ when in fact they are large-scale animal trading events.”



Evidence supplied to the Council from last year’s event showed clearly that the conditions at the market would have caused animal suffering. Stalls displayed row upon row of small plastic tubs containing animals, often piled three or four deep. Traders neglected even the most basic biological needs of the animals in terms of light, heat, space, humidity and ventilation.





For more information, please contact Elaine Toland on 01273 674253 /07986 535024.



We have an ISDN line for broadcast-quality interviews.



Issued 13 April 2010





Animal Protection Agency

Brighton Media Centre

15-17 Middle Street

Brighton

BN1 1AL

__________________

Tel: 01273 674253

Fax: 01273 674927

Mobile: 07986 535024

www.apa.org.uk

[judy]

Originally Posted by Natrix

For those that are wondering why yet another show has been cancelled, this press release was issued by APA yesterday.
APA and IAR are working very hard at the moment to stop every reptile show out there so expect more shows to follow this one as councils are duped into banning perfectly legal events.

Natrix

For immediate release


Maidstone Council is commended by animal groups for disallowing a reptile market


The Animal Protection Agency (APA) and International Animal Rescue (IAR) are delighted that Maidstone Borough Council has effectively refused permission for a reptile market due to take place this Sunday, 18 April 2010 at the Lockmeadow Centre.



The terms for hire of the Market Hall at the Lockmeadow Centre now include a standard condition that prohibits the sale, or advertising for sale, of animals. The sale of pets at markets was outlawed in 1983 under the Pet Animals Act 1951.



Last year, on 30 August, investigators from the APA and IAR attended a reptile market organised by the ‘Maidstone Reptile and Amphibian Club’, an amateur group of hobbyists and dealers, at the Lockmeadow Centre. Investigators gathered evidence of illegal animal dealing and appalling animal welfare conditions. The sheer volume of animals on sale was inconsistent with the organisers’ claims that the stallholders were private individuals selling a few of their own surplus pets.



Said Animal Protection Agency spokesperson, Elaine Toland:



“We’re very pleased to see that market trading of reptiles will not be tolerated by Maidstone Council. We have been working alongside local authorities around the country to counter illegal reptile markets and this work seems to be paying off. Unfortunately, event organisers will no doubt persist in mis-representing their events as ‘breeders meetings’ and ‘reptile shows’ when in fact they are large-scale animal trading events.”



Evidence supplied to the Council from last year’s event showed clearly that the conditions at the market would have caused animal suffering. Stalls displayed row upon row of small plastic tubs containing animals, often piled three or four deep. Traders neglected even the most basic biological needs of the animals in terms of light, heat, space, humidity and ventilation.





For more information, please contact Elaine Toland on 01273 674253 /07986 535024.



We have an ISDN line for broadcast-quality interviews.



Issued 13 April 2010





Animal Protection Agency

Brighton Media Centre

15-17 Middle Street

Brighton

BN1 1AL

__________________

Tel: 01273 674253

Fax: 01273 674927

Mobile: 07986 535024

www.apa.org.uk

:cen sor:
really pi**ed this show was cancelled. lets hope the august show will go ahead.

[xxmykyxx]

I'm wondering if I'm the only one tempted to phone that number and b**** her out for this idiocy.

[MRAC]

As usual, the press report is not truthful. Not only are reports on animal conditions and failure to provide 'biological' requirements incorrect, but also because the Council did NOT refuse us permission to go ahead with the show. What they actually asked was for us to put in place a few new measures and guarantee that livestock will not be sold to non-members. They still wanted the show open to the public as they feel it is a good family event that is good for the town. I guess Elaine Toland forgot to mention that part.
We have our own reasons for not running the show, of which the rule changes is a large part. But not the total reason.

I have been getting a number of e:mails asking for details on Aprils show, despite advertising everywhere that it is cancelled, and would like to mention once again....
The April show is Cancelled.
As yet, there has been no decision about the August show, but we will let you know soon.

[Natrix]

Originally Posted by MRAC

As usual, the press report is not truthful. Not only are reports on animal conditions and failure to provide 'biological' requirements incorrect, but also because the Council did NOT refuse us permission to go ahead with the show.

It isn't a press report it's a press release by APA and it will of been sent to other councils where council officials will read it and assume it's true. Will MRAC be releasing any information to counter Ms Tolands claim?

Originally Posted by MRAC

What they actually asked was for us to put in place a few new measures and guarantee that livestock will not be sold to non-members.

It is perfectly legal for non commercial, hobby breeders to sell animals to the public at a breeders meeting. Have MRAC asked the council why they are putting a regulation in place that removes the civil liberties of those attending the breeders meeting?

Originally Posted by MRAC

They still wanted the show open to the public as they feel it is a good family event that is good for the town. I guess Elaine Toland forgot to mention that part.
We have our own reasons for not running the show, of which the rule changes is a large part. But not the total reason.

If you allow Maidstone council to put these rules in place, you add strength to Ms Tolands incorrect claims and risk other events around the country being effected in the same way.
Is there a reason why MRAC haven't approached the FBH for help and advice on this matter?

Originally Posted by MRAC

I have been getting a number of e:mails asking for details on Aprils show, despite advertising everywhere that it is cancelled, and would like to mention once again....
The April show is Cancelled.
As yet, there has been no decision about the August show, but we will let you know soon.

Good luck with the August show

Gordon Glasson
Vice Chairman FBH

[Austin Allegro]

Don't think I will be going to Maidstone for the August show this time if at all it takes place. I am opting for the Kempton Park gig which is two weeks earlier. Don't seem any point in going to a show in the same region within two weeks of each other to see the same people selling the same stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if quite a lot of other people share the same sentiments. Especially the exhibitors who need some definite advance notice that the show is on.

Also the arrangements for Kempton are up and running and well advanced whereas there is nothing definite about Maidstone which seems to have rolled over and surrendered to Elastaine Toadlands mob and gift horsed them a public relations coup. This seems very disappointing in comparison with the response in Essex and Norwich last year where the clubs dug in and made sure the shows went on. Indeed, the latter sorted out new premises just 48 hours before the show went ahead. In comparison Maidstone postponed the April show 2-3 months ahead of it happening.