Scottish Animal Welfare Commission - Exotic Pet Working Group: final report

6. Recommendations

6.1 A single list of permitted species of animal that may legally be kept as pets should be compiled, drawing on the experience of other countries where such lists have already been compiled and applying it where relevant to Scotland.

6.2 SAWC believes there is sufficient evidence to make the decision in 6.1 but advises that more detailed information of the level of exotic pet trade, species traded, and any associated welfare issues should be gathered, drawing on the enhanced record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. SAWC recommends that local authorities gather relevant information on a systematic basis, for example, by requiring retailers to present it on a quarterly basis as part of their obligations under the licence.

6.3 Provision should be made for derogations for individuals, who already own non-listed species at the time when the legislation comes into force, and for individuals or groups to apply for a non-listed species to be added to the list. Individuals should also be able to apply to keep a non-listed species, subject to evidence of competency and suitable facilities to ensure the animals' welfare.

6.4 SAWC also supports the views of pet-keeping bodies, such as the Federation of British Herpetologists (FBH), and veterinary organisations, such as British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) and British Veterinary Association (BVA), when it comes to the breeding of so-called 'colour-morphs' and recommends that these should not be bred where evidence of hereditary defects is observed.

6.5 SAWC advises a ban on the importation of wild-caught animals for the pet trade.