Despite CITES protections tortoises continue to be smuggled into the UK. There are cases of licensed and unlicensed pet shops selling them in poor condition and without the correct advice or equipment.

Many tortoises are then enduring a life of misery where uninformed owners provide inadequate support. We believe tortoises should only be permitted to enter the UK for conservation purposes. We want a total ban on any imports for all species and breeding in the UK as we feel the UK climate is totally inadequate for their welfare. Existing owners should be allowed to keep their pets but if owners cannot look after them there should be a means of repatriation to their native countries through reputable charitable agencies.