Dear All,
The Federation of British Herpetologists (www.f-b-h.co.uk), an organisation that fights for the rights of UK herpetologists to continue to keep, breed and trade in reptiles and amphibians, is taking part in an inquiry into the welfare aspects of genetic changes arising through selective breeding.
As some of you may already be aware there has been huge oposition by some so called animal welfare organisations in the UK to the keeping and breeding of reptiles and amphibians and they have managed successfully to shut down many of our shows by lobbying local councils and show venues, severely damaging our local herp societies and conservation projects through lack of new membership and funding and are now urging the British government to ban the keeping of exotics in the UK and even to extend it across the EU.
It is imperative that we build a strong and accurate case on the welfare issues surrounding the breeding of reptiles and amphibians as the final report will be used to advise Government on current and future legislation and the timing of this inquiry allows for its inclusion in the final round of consultation on the new Animal Welfare Bill due to become law later this year.
We would appreciate any information you can provide from your knowledge, research and experiences of the welfare aspects related to selective breeding, including any data on the mortality and/or deformity rates associated with specific morphs (as compared to the normal/wild types), and efforts on improving genetic diversity for future breeding projects, etc.
If you are able to help please contact me directly on fbhmem_secretary@hotmail.com
Many Thanks
Nils
on behalf of the FBH
