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The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has coordinated a joint letter to the government calling for a revision of the UK’s Wildlife Trade Regulations.
The correspondence, supported by nine trade and keeper organisations, argues that certain retained EU rules place unnecessary burdens on small businesses without providing clear conservation benefits.
The letter specifically addresses the retention of Article 10 certification requirements and the mandate for import permits for Annex B species.
The organisations state that these are additional controls adopted during the UK’s membership of the EU and are not core obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The coalition suggests that removing these requirements would bring the UK in line with global standards.
While the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has suggested that such changes could compromise conservation, the letter asks for evidence of negative impacts in other countries that do not use these additional controls.
The trade bodies further claim that current enforcement is inconsistent, noting instances where non-compliance failed to result in action. They argue this undermines the effectiveness of the rules while increasing costs for legitimate businesses.
The letter was sent on behalf of the following organisations:
- Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA)
- Federation of British Herpetologists
- Hawk Board
- National Council for Aviculture
- Parrot Society
- Raptor Breeders UK
- Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association (REPTA)
- Responsible Reptile Keeping
- Sustainable Users Network (SUN)
A spokesperson for OATA said: “The letter expressed concerns about how certain CITES requirements are in opposition to other government targets supporting small businesses without bringing any tangible conservation benefit.
“The letter called on the government to rethink its approach and commit to target deregulation in certain areas.”
