PET BUSINESS WORLD (UK) 07 October 13 Reptile trade breathes easy after EU announcement (Tony Jones)
The reptile trade is breathing a tentative sigh of relief after the publication of long-awaited EU legislation to control invasive species.
Experts across Europe were fearful of ‘heavy-handed’ new rules similar to those implemented in Belgium and Holland being rolled out across the Continent. However, the new legislation currently appears to comprise a less draconian approach, banning a maximum of up to 50 harmful and invasive plants and animals. The list of banned animals has not yet been compiled or released.
Once compiled and ratified, it will become illegal to keep any plant or animal that is covered by the new legislation. It is thought that ‘grandfather rights’ will be assigned to those who already keep these species, although the full details on how this will operate is not yet known.
Individual member states will decide upon the conditions depending on the specific circumstances of the species and the country in question. The restrictions will likely make breeding, growing and transporting illegal for any banned species other than for scientific purposes.
While the full list of banned species is yet to be compiled, experts believe it is, at present, unlikely that any reptiles will be added. Given the scope of the legislation to include plants and animals across all taxa, it is unlikely that many reptiles, if any, will make the list given the current restriction of 50 species.
However, there is still some concern regarding the provision for each country within the EU to devise its own list of ‘Species of Concern’. Such a list could effectively ban the keeping of any species considered invasive to that particular country.
Chris Newman, chairman of the Federation of British Herpetologists (FBH), has been invited to participate in the Government’s working group that debates the issue of invasive species.
“Hopefully decisions on what will or will not be included on the lists will be based on good science and not speculation,” he said.
“The UK already has the Non-Native Species Secretariat which is, as far as I am aware, the only EU member state with a specific government department. The NSS generally take a very sensible, balanced and proportionate approach. Other countries may be more radical.”
Definitions
• Invasive Species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that is not native and causes damage to the economy or ecology. A species can be non-native without being invasive if it does not cause damage. This legislation addresses only invasive species.
• White List
Refers to a list of species that have been approved for ownership. Only species on the list can be legally owned. Belgium currently has White Lists legislation for mammals that lists just 41 species as legal to keep. A similar list for reptiles is expected to be published soon.
• Black List
Refers to a list of species that are prohibited. Such lists are less restrictive than White List legislation and species are usually included after establishing satisfactory evidence as to their invasive status.
Link