Online Sale of Exotic Pets

The motion

That the Parliament understands that there has been a significant increase in the trade and private keeping of non-domesticated or non-traditional companion animals, commonly known as exotic pets and, in particular, the growth in internet trading of these animals; believes that this trend sometimes involves certain animals whose behaviours and needs cannot be provided for in a domestic setting, leading to poor welfare and, potentially, severe suffering and death; is concerned that the ease of internet purchasing can lead inexperienced keepers to acquire animals from unknown sources whose welfare standards and sourcing policies are not monitored; understands that the global trade in exotic pets is regularly associated with illegal wildlife trafficking and negative impacts on biodiversity in countries of origin and destination; considers that reports by Blue Cross, the Born Free Foundation and OneKind have demonstrated that the online exotic pet trade and its associated impacts affect a significant number of animals and people in Scotland, including in the Highlands and Islands; notes that the European Parliament, in its key objectives for the CITES CoP 17 meeting, called on EU member states to establish a positive list of exotic animals that can be kept as pets; wishes to see optimum welfare for all animals kept as pets, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to review the pet trade, with a particular focus on the welfare of exotic pets.

No recorded vote on this motion. Most motions are never debated, and many that are debated are agreed without a division. Vote records are published from 2011.

SNP 12 Lab 10 Green 2 Con 1

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

No contribution in the Official Report cites S5M-02082 by reference.