European experts raise industry concerns

One theme of the conference was the ever-growing threat to the European ornamental aquatic industry and hobby from animal rights activists. It’s not just extreme groups that are causing concern, either. Even the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), which undoubtedly does a great deal of good work in its field, can be seen as posing a threat to the pet industry.The chairman of REPTA (a reptile trade association), Chris Newman, highlighted the fact that, despite repeated requests, the RSPCA has not retracted a letter which it sent out in 1999 to local government authorities in the UK opposing the sale of animals in pet shops.Svein Fosså, the secretary general of the Norwegian Pet Trade Association NZB, tackled the issue of genetically engineered fish. Since it will become progressively more difficult for dealers to be able to identify genetically engineered fish, and since these can generate strong anti-trade feelings and campaigns, the speaker felt that the industry needs to send out a strong message that it is concerned about the damage that these fish could cause if the matter got out of hand.In addition to the potential difficulties that transgenics – which are currently banned in Europe – could cause, there’s also the question of ‘painted fish’, i.e. colour-injected fish. As current laws stand, no European country actually bans the sale of such fish. Yet in the opinion of many within the industry, these fish are ‘time bombs’ which are likely to explode and cause considerable damage to the trade. This topic, as well as other aspects of Britain’s new Animal Welfare Bill, formed the core of the address by specialist pet industry/hobby author, Dave Alderton.Other speakers concentrated on the need to expand the industry (not just one’s own share of the cake) in a responsible manner, emphasising good welfare principles; the need to project a positive image of fishkeeping as an enjoyable, eco-friendly, science-based activity; plus the need to understand the industry in all its aspects if it is to be defended against outrageous, unsubstantiated claims from organisations that are well-funded financially and are well organised to attack what they deem to be a soft target.The aim of the OATA conferences is to inform the industry regarding the latest, and – in many cases – hottest and most controversial issues currently doing the rounds. This most recent gathering seems once more to have achieved its objective.  John Dawes
Download…