Federation of British Herpetologists conference

[Geomyda]

An important meeting:
FBH Conference – your chance to shape the future

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Here is your chance to shape the future of reptile keeping in the UK by taking part in the 2011 FBH Conference. In addition to a full and interesting agenda there is an opportunity to take part in the:

Big Debate – under discussion

EU invasive species policy – it is the biggest threat ever to keepers?

Good Practice Guideless - will they set the standards on how you will need to keep your animals?

Pet shop licensing – the new Model Standards for pet shops selling reptiles and amphibians

Dangerous Wild Animals Act – the new guidance for keepers and Local Authorities

Held in conjunction with the IHS show conference Saturday 25th June – IHS Show Sunday 26th June, concessionary hotels available. To book or for further enquiries contact Richard Brook on 01274 548342 or email Richard@Dragonzone.org.uk. Tickets are £10 per person (this includes entry to the conference, lunch, and evening meal) must be obtained before the event.




FBH Conference - 2011




25th June


The Dome Doncaster, Lakeside, Doncaster, DN4 7PD



10:00 - 10.45 - Registration & coffee

10:45 – 11:00 - Chris Newman
Welcome & roundup

11:00 – 12:00 - Emmanuel Van Heygen
Keynote speaker – title to be confirmed

12:00 - 12:45 - Nevin Hunter
Head of Compliance, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency - title to be confirmed

12:00 – 1:00 - Questions & Answers

1:00 - 2:00 - Lunch Courtesy of Exo Terra

2:00 - 2:45 - Peter Morris
BreedingReptiles Commercially in the UK
A virtual tour of Europe’s largest reptile breeder.

2:45 – 3:15 - Roman Muryn
Ninja Turtles & Ponds in the UK
An overview of the problems with red-eared terrapins in the wild, and some solutions.

3:15 – 3:30 - Question & answer session.

3:30 – 3:45 - Coffee

3:45 – 4:15 - Jim Collins
Development of the EU Alien Invasive Species Policy

3:45 – 4:30 - Chris Newman
Development of Good Practice Guidelines for Reptiles

4:30 - 6:00 - The big debate
Your chance to have a say in the future of reptile keeping in the UK, including discussions on:
EU invasive species policy – it is the biggest threat ever to keepers?
Good Practice Guideless: Will they set the standards on how you will need to keep your animals?
Plus: Pet shop licensing, Dangerous Wild Animals Act etc.
If you keep reptiles you need to be here!

7:00 - Late - Dinner
Enjoy a fantastic dinner courtesy of Exo Terra, with licensed bar available until 11pm.

[Wariat]

Geomyda,
Can you tell us what you think the big issues are in the big debate?
Is it the imports or is it how we deal with them once they are here?

What contribution to the debate is expected from the Tortoise Trust and the British Chelonia Group. Are they even being represented?

Wariat

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Wariat

Geomyda,
Can you tell us what you think the big issues are in the big debate?
Is it the imports or is it how we deal with them once they are here?

What contribution to the debate is expected from the Tortoise Trust and the British Chelonia Group. Are they even being represented?

Wariat

The EU, have issued a consultation exercise, ahead of the publication of a new EU directive to be implemented in 2012. To comply with this, a Department within DEFRA, have established several working groups drawn from a diverse range of field Biologists, Industry representatives, and NGO's. These Working groups have been tasked with providing recommendations by this month; May 2011. These, will then go forward as draft input to Government departments and from this, the UK submission will go forward to the European commission.
The "Big issues" in the debate:
1. The directive, is centred on threats from potentially Invasive species.
Some 2300 species across all Taxa have been identified as potential threat.
2. Developing the EU IAS strategy
3. Working group 1. Prevention; Priority species and pathways & Risk analysis
This includes the "Whitelist" and the "Blacklist" species.
-Introduction into the wild, Intentional introduction into Europe.
-Possession.
-Unintentional introduction into Europe.
4. Working Group 2. Information, monitoring, early warning and rapid response.
-Establishment of an EU IAS data centre.
-Establishment of surveillance, inspection & monitoring.
-Early warning and rapid response

As for input, from the British Chelonia Group and the Tortoise Trust. To date, I am not aware of any input from either of these two National groups?

[Wariat]

There was me thinking that my membership contributed to making a small difference to these big issues.

I wonder what we get for our money?

Wariat

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Wariat

There was me thinking that my membership contributed to making a small difference to these big issues.

I wonder what we get for our money?

Wariat

I understand, that the BCG, have recently voted a member to the position of Public Relations Officer: Have you thought to ask them?
As for the Tortoise Trust, Andy Highfield is often seen posting on the Tortoise Trust Forum. He, I am sure would seek to address any questions asked by members. That said, his answers might not always tick every box!

[Wariat]

I could not find the position on the website.

It states that it has a policy to discourage imports yet it seems to be to be doing nothing positive to enact that policy. Shame.

Still hopefully the debate at Docaster will air the public view on the subject. Those that are involved in actually doing something actively can take that into account.

Wariat

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Wariat

I could not find the position on the website.

It states that it has a policy to discourage imports yet it seems to be to be doing nothing positive to enact that policy. Shame.

Still hopefully the debate at Docaster will air the public view on the subject. Those that are involved in actually doing something actively can take that into account.

Wariat

Let us hope so!

[romski]

Folks as a results of this evenings One show turtle article I am prompted to post here.

I will be speaking at the Doncaster symposium on 21st June.

Paul has already alluded on this forum that the issue associated with chelonia imports and the rehoming of turtles will be a big debating topic. In our own way, a group of us have become increasingly more confident that rehoming some of the turtles in outdoor ponds may contribute in a small way to reducing the problem.

There is no doubt that given the right conditions they can survive out there in the UK. The question has been - what are the factors that enable successful outdoor survival?

I will be talking through my understanding of what it takes to keep American animals outdoors in the UK. If you do come I would be interested in understanding individual opinions particularly on experiences (good and bad) of outdoor keeping of turts and indeed I welcome expansion of the debate.

Clearly the misinformation given during the show will be addressed.


Just how dangerous are they?



Rom

[EJ]

The TT doesn't think tortoises should be kept in the UK... fancy that now that he's got them in his back yard.

The BCG... I'm willing to bet they are worried about other things on their plate right now.

Neither group has ever favored the pet trade... which is what this is really about.

I'd be very surprised if they were represented at this meeting.

Originally Posted by Wariat

Geomyda,
Can you tell us what you think the big issues are in the big debate?
Is it the imports or is it how we deal with them once they are here?

What contribution to the debate is expected from the Tortoise Trust and the British Chelonia Group. Are they even being represented?

Wariat

[Box girl]

So true

Originally Posted by EJ

The TT doesn't think tortoises should be kept in the UK... fancy that now that he's got them in his back yard.

The BCG... I'm willing to bet they are worried about other things on their plate right now.

Neither group has ever favored the pet trade... which is what this is really about.

I'd be very surprised if they were represented at this meeting.