Exotic Keepers - 398
Primate Keeping - 106

Combined 504 Signatures for two petitions.

As a result of the 'spamming' as it has been classed, the RFUK membership took a figure from 421 - the current.

Whilst l can see why it was classed as it was - sort of - 83 keepers did not object to this style of direct contact.

A few pointed out to me that in fact they had not seen the post, or had not realised the content , and many others wished the petition good luck. Most contacted did in fact not disagree with being approached in this way as it brought it to their attention.

Next month, we will be taking it into retail and trade and l hope to be able to achieve a possibly unrealistic figure to many of 100,000 signatures by Mid february next year.

100,000 signatures would be incredible for it would show the Government and in turn the opposition that we were/are as we say captive carers of exotic species and not. As much as this figure would be grand, l think even if a petition were to appear that held half of this figure it would still be a blessing.

All we have to do now is await the arrival of the petitions that counter attack these ones, and see what figures they attain.

Rory

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Just to keep you updated.

Primate Keeping petition currently has just over 100 signatures.

The Petition below, began in 2005, it still runs:

Petition-them.com

It has 1627 signatures, okay that may not be a lot since the last signature obtained was Friday 04th March 2005.

It is still active, although no one has signed for some time.

See the petition Introduction:

Stop the primate pet trade in the UK


THE PETITION
The Monkey Sanctuary Trust, based in Cornwall, is a registered charity, which draws on over 40 years of experience caring for unwanted ex-pet monkeys. The Trust is working hard to raise awareness of and put an end to the cruel primate pet trade in the UK.

The primate pet trade in the UK is little documented and many people are shocked that it is still legal to buy and sell monkeys as pets in the UK. However, there are an estimated 1500 primates currently living as pets in the UK, sometimes living in garden sheds or bird cages without the appropriate 24-hour care that they need and deserve. All primates suffer greatly from this cruel trade, which takes babies from their mothers to be raised by hand for the pet trade. This early separation is extremely traumatic for both mother and baby as, like us, primates are dependent on their mothers for at least 2-3 years. Primates suffer mentally and physically from being kept in captivity as we can never provide for all their needs and as pets they often face isolation and neglect. As wild animals, they can never be domesticated and are also dangerous and a threat to public health due to the diseases that they can carry.

Join The Monkey Sanctuary Trust in calling for an end to the Trade in Primates as Pets in the UK. By adding your support to our petition, you will help us to show the Government that there is huge support for this trade to be stopped.

DESIRED OUTCOME
The primate pet trade comes to an end

WHO WE NEED TO INFLUENCE
The British Government, particularly Mr Elliot Morley MP, Mr Ben Bradshaw MP and DEFRA (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

HOW LONG WILL WE CAMPAIGN
Until the trade in primates as pets is stopped or the end of 2009


Chris Newman in March 2005 said this:

Petition-them.com

This petition is quite repugnant – no wild primates are traded in the UK or EU so why do organizations like ‘the monkey sanctuary’ who allege they wish to protect primates wish to see them extinct! The private keeping & breeding of the smaller primates is entirely laudable and to be encourage where appropriate.

On the 22nd august he received a response:

Liz Tyson

Dear Mr Newman,

I believe that you are slightly confused about the issues that we are raising in this petition. We would like to see an end to the trade in primates as pets in this country, not to see the incredible creatures that we have dedicated over 40 years work to protecting to become extinct.

You mention that no wild primates are traded in the UK or EU but you have failed to recognise that ALL primates are wild animals, not domesticated pets, and they suffer immensely at the hands of people who wrongly assume that they can be kept in the same way as a dog or cat.

Whilst our campaign is focused on ending the legal trade in primates as pets, the illegal trade has, over the years, had a devastating effect on primate populations, with up to 100 being killed for the sake of one "pet" monkey making it over here to the UK.

I would be interested to find out why you believe our petition implies a wish to see primates become extinct?

With best regards,

Liz Tyson
Education Officer and Primate Keeper - The Monkey Sanctuary Trust


But the argument still continues into 2008

The fear the pro side have with this petition for primates being raised is that it will ignite the opposition again.

Now imagine when the opposition start one for reptiles ...........?

Should make you think.

R

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Petition Update

Primate Keeping - 113
Exotic Species - 427

Total = 540

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why target all primate keepers?? there are some very good keepers out there that dont deserve a bad name through irresponsible owners.

surely you could focus your time on trying to get some sort of exam/test thing where there is a home check on time, space knowlege and finance

surely this would be a better route

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kitty

have you, as a primate keeper, signed the petition to stop them banning the keeping of exotics species, including primates?

if you have not signed it, you might as well by saying you AGREE that they should not be kept by people like yourself.

the reason that all primate keepers should be targeted, is that if they are not, they will end up losing their ability to keep their primates..

this means you kitty, or people like you, will not be able to keep a marmoset, as it is a primate, and so you would, in time, be banned from keeping him.

although, tbh, and rory knows my thoughts on this.. i personally don't see a problem with banning the keeping of solo primate in houses..

anyway..

kitty. this petition, these petitions are FOR the keeping of them. if you do not sign them, then you must be against keeping them.. so.. have you signed? and if not, why not

Nerys

and i have to say, i laugh at your idea of the exam/test for keeping them... do you still have yours on his own? guess what, you would not have passed any tests we would have set..

much tho the idea is great, the irony of YOU suggesting it staggers me.

N

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I have just noticed this, from you Kitty, and l see Nerys has already responded.

But whilst l agree that the notion of your suggestion is worthy of applause.

Based on how you currently keep your own marmoset, l can not see how you can conjur up the idea - l too am bewildered.

The Government are against primate keepers, the opposition are against primate keepers, indeed many reptile keepers are against primate keepers.

But Jesus, the one thing every one hates is primates being kept by themselves in the wrong environment - and that is what you do anyway.

Do you honestly think , that if there was a test/exam by the Governing bodies, that you would pass?

Genuinely responsible primate keepers would not pass you.

The codes of practice for primates would not pass you.

If you have signed this petition, have you actually read it and comprehended what it represents?

R

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Well said Rory

How are we doing on the petition front?



Phil

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Hi Phil,

I am not unimpressed with the responses so far in so far as numbers, primate petition launched on the 25th Feb with 113. I recognise, roughly 35 primate keepers there, the rest are obvously keepers l dont know, but the fact is that the support is gaining there from non primate keepers as well.

The Exotic Species petition [launched 28th Feb] is gaining momentum with 435 l think, and l am impressed with that.

As l said before l would like to attain a 100K sigs by the end of the petition period, and if we go landbased, we might, be able to pull this off.

I have said this before, and l will continue to say it to all the readership of this forum and of the others hosting the petition links,

Thankyou

R

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Oh right wel its going good for the exotics, i suppost the primate petition will not be as big as the reptile one as they dont seem to be as popular.

I will help by posting links on myspace forums, bulletins. i will send emails to all my contacts and well...word of mouth i suppose



Phil

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Well done Phil, and thanks

R

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