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
A Licensing & Appeals Committee meeting to take place on the 5th November at 7:30pm at North Hertfordshire District Council offices in Letchworth Garden City at which the following proposal is to be voted on:

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.

The areas in Hertfordshire this would effect are:

Arbury, Baldock East, Baldock Town, Cadwell, Chesfield, Codicote, Ermine, Hitchin Bearton, Hitchin Highbury, Hitchin Oughton, Hitchin Priory, Hitchin Walsworth, Hitchwood, Offa, Hoo, Kimpton, Knebworth, Letchworth East, Letchworth Grange, Letchworth South East, Letchworth South West, Letchworth Wilbury,Royston Heath, Royston Meridian, Royston Palace, Weston and Sandon.

This must be stopped if not then other councils may follow suit

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I agree, this is a really serious issue. I'm not sure how many reptile shops there are in North Hertfordshire, but this could be the first of many such bans. Hopefully people from this part of England will step up and take some action!