We and other groups have been very concerned at the high numbers of, not only juveniles but also adult, Horsfield tortoises reaching the pet trade from the wild.
To this end we have loaded an article onto the website, which makes interesting reading and is evident in the increasing numbers of Horsfields that are reaching the UK Pet Trade. Unfortunately, the introduction of fees for issuing Annexe A tortoises with the appropriate article 10s is likely to place further demand on the supply of this tortoise into the UK pet trade; the Horsfield being one of the more hardy uncertified species of tortoise being imported into the UK.

The link to the full article can be found here:-

http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/172.asp

Regards

Darren

How much longer is this exploitation to continue before something is done about it? Must a species come close to extinction before action is taken to save it? Are governments blind, deaf, stupid or just too concerned with lining their own pockets to see that animals are dying?

A simple piece of legislation banning the import of ALL animals for the commercial pet trade purpose and penalties for offenders which will put them out of business is all that is required.

We are putting the bio-diversity of this planet at risk. For what? The whims of man.