22 Flamsted Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 6DL

PROPOSED ANIMAL LEGISLATION
DEFRA - RSPCA - ANIMAL AID
New legislation will come into effect some time in the very near future - either in the next Parliamentary session before the end of this year - or certainly during next year.
The various animal rights groups are seeking to influence the legislation and use it to make the keeping of pets if not impossible certainly very difficult indeed. This includes Fishkeeping.
They are against Zoos and Public Aquariums in general and want to see them closed and having Pet Shows (which they call Pet Fairs) outlawed.
The Federation has been keeping abreast of the situation as it has developed. With all of the main meetings taking place in Central London it has fallen on the FBAS to take up the baton on behalf of all fishkeepers. We have two Council Members attending the meetings and writing letters to both DEFRA and the Parliamentary Commission, and have been involved in forming the Federation of Companion Animals Societies) FOCAS and contributed to the cost.
(FOCAS Secretary: Alan Gibbs Rapparee0@aol.com see also
http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=1931
But now the time has come for you to play your part in protecting your hobby from the more extreme legislation being promoted by the Animal Aid Groups. Basically they want to prevent you from keeping fish.
Let us make it clear; the Federation is not against animal protection. We have all been disgusted with the way some so called pet shops keep their stock including fish, and some of us have even reported such establishments. These situations are rare; after all, the animals represent money to the shop owner and it is in his interest to see to their welfare. Many of us have given guidance and advice to people keeping fish. Animal Groups are trying to use the worst scenarios as an indicator of the majority. This is wrong.
As fishkeepers we look after our pets. We give them the best conditions we can. We nurture and protect them. And many of us are involved in encouraging them to breed.
Enclosed is a template letter which we ask you to copy, adding your name and address and send it to your local MP. We ask you to use the template letter for two reasons:
1) If dozens of MPs find themselves receiving the same basic letter it shows an organised
strength of feeling.
2) Loading letters with too many facts and figures leads to them not being read.
We have also enclosed some information regarding the RSPCA, an organisation that still has much public support. However it is not the RSPCA that it was now that it has been taken over by the animal rights people.
Sincerely,
R.D. Esson

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