microchips

[scapula]

Is it true that a tort must be chipped before it can be sold ? The tortoise is over 100mm

[Shelley66]

No it isn't. You only need to chip it if you are going to breed from it and want to sell the babies.

Certain species of torts need to have Article 10 paperwork if you are going to sell them though.

[fatfecker]

Depending on species yes it is, article 10 paperwork is invalid once the tortoise reaches 100mm if the tortoise has not been microchipped, if the tortoise has not been microchipped then you would have a transactional certificate which is good for one sale only (i.e. the sale to you), if you are selling on your tortoise you are legally obliged to apply for a new article 10 certificate indicating you in box 1 as the seller if the tortoise is under 100mm.

Once the tortoise is over 100mm and has been microchipped you can send back the transactional certificate along with the chip information and you will then be issued with a Specimen Specific Article 10 Certificate which is good for the rest of the animals life no matter how many times it changes hands.

[scapula]

I am going to pick up a five year old on Monday. The seller (who is not a breeder) says she has the certificate that she got when she bought the tortoise but it is not microchipped. I am presuming this is a TSC. Will i be able to have the tortoise microchipped with this certificate? The reason I ask is that I have read elsewhere that the TSC becomes invalid once the tortoise is over 100mm. I have also read that that the TSc is valid for one commercial transaction only. I will be the second transaction.

What do you think?

[scapula]

I do intend to breed (first time ) any wisdom will be much appreciated

[fatfecker]

Legally she has to get the tort chipped and get the Species Specific Article 10 before she can sell it, in reality you will probably pretend to DEFRA that you originally bought the tortoise and that the transactional certificate is yours and send it off with the chip to get the Species Specific Article 10

[scapula]

Will the transactional certificate only have the original sellers details on it or will it also have the current owners details on too?

[fatfecker]

It will only have the sellers details on it, that's why I thought you would probably tell DEFRA you bought it from the seller indicated in box 1

[scapula]

Thankyou, you have been very helpful. My 15 year old has an SSC and I was confused and worried, but now I am not!

[MissHayho]

Originally Posted by scapula

I am going to pick up a five year old on Monday. The seller (who is not a breeder) says she has the certificate that she got when she bought the tortoise but it is not microchipped. I am presuming this is a TSC. Will i be able to have the tortoise microchipped with this certificate? The reason I ask is that I have read elsewhere that the TSC becomes invalid once the tortoise is over 100mm. I have also read that that the TSc is valid for one commercial transaction only. I will be the second transaction.

What do you think?

Its fine for you to get the tortoise chipped and send the papers in order for them to be updated once this has been done - they will need the tort chip number.

make sure you take copies of the cert just incase!!

Alot of people sell torts without realising they are supposed to get the tort chipped at a certain size especially if selling, but then some people disagree with chipping all together.

Few of mine will need chipping soon....