11/06/2014

Lack Of Rules Over Exotic Creatures In UK

MPs have warned the government has no idea of the number of exotic creatures in the UK, due the lack of laws to regulate the animals.

Some of the most popular exotic pets do not need a licence or paperwork to stay in the country, according to the government's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

Anne McIntosh, head of the committee urged the government to fix the situation, saying: "It is paramount the government acts promptly to address this evidence deficit. We call on Defra to commission independent research to establish the extent of the problems in this area and to report back to us with a plan of action within six months of receiving the research results."

In Monkey World, in Dorset they rescue unwanted and maltreated primates and some of them are found in appalling conditions, the centre director Dr Alison Cronin said: "As it stands in Britain today, you can buy a small monkey from a pet shop just as you would a budgie or a goldfish without any form of licensing or any sort of proof that you know how to look after these very specialist wild animals.”

The committee and the Monkey centre say that primates should be kept in conditions similar to those in zoos.

(CVS/MH)

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