Dyed Fish Sales Not Being Outlawed In Uk, Lets make some noise |
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 Apr 20 2006, 09:54 PM
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#81
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 Newbie  Group: Member Posts: 2 Joined: 31-October 05 From: South London Member No.: 16715  |
Arfie
Just sent e-mail to my MP, lets see if he replies. zampa 
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Apr 21 2006, 04:07 PM
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#82
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Fish Fanatic  Group: Members Posts: 51 Joined: 24-March 06 From: uk kent Member No.: 20074 |
I wrote to my mp and got two replis hope they listen
EDITED 30th APRIL I got a letter Friday from my mp saying that he is goin to pass my inforamtion on and get back to me This post has been edited by creamo098765: Apr 30 2006, 12:13 PM |
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May 5 2006, 08:54 PM
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#83
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 Fish Crazy  Group: Members Posts: 103 Joined: 14-October 05 From: Worcs, UK Member No.: 16400 |
Hey guys,
Just received a second letter from my local MP. Enclosed was a letter addressed to him from Ben Bradshaw of DEFRA. I will type up the letter at a later time, but the general gist of the letter is that the Animal Welfare Bill that is being passed through parliament at the moment will place onto any owner or keeper a duty to ensure the animals welfare. It will also prohibit the mutilation of an animal other than for medical treatment, and dyeing a fish by injection or tattoo would constitute mutilation, however, feeding dyed food is not classed as mutilation. Reading this, it seems that until now, it has not been illegal to dye fish in this country, contrary to what we thought at the start of this thread. I shall type up the entire letter some point next week...watch this space! Adam |
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May 13 2006, 07:56 PM
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#84
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Newbie Group: Member Posts: 7 Joined: 21-October 05 From: North Yorkshire, England, UK Member No.: 16534 |
A letter has been despatched to my MP -w will see what response it brings. There are also a number of divers out there who anjoy watching fish (I am one of them) who are probably not aware of this issue. So, a letter has been sent to one of the diving magazines about it and giving links to the on-line petition at:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/fishtank/petition.html Every little helps....... |
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May 18 2006, 02:52 PM
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#85
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Fish Addict  Group: Members Posts: 667 Joined: 24-February 06 From: hartshill,S-O-T,England Member No.: 19386 |
wohh no way came home like 5 mins ago and found a real posh looking letter from the house of commons addressed to me
opened it up and lo behold QUOTE HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON SW1A OAA May 16th 2006 Dear Mr Jarvest, I have received a reply from DEFRA, which I enclose. This highlights an inherent problem with the EU it enables many good an important things to happen but it also creates rather pointless rigidities such as this. It would not undermine the benefits of Community membership if there was some discretion granted to member states on matters like this. I am sorry. PP MARK FISHER MP With best wishes Yours sincerely QUOTE Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P3JR Telephone 08459 335577 Email helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk Website www.defra.gov.uk Mark Fisher MP House of Commons London Our ref: 242976/FM SW1AOAA 8 May 2006 From the Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare Ben Bradshaw MP Thank you for your letter of 13 March enclosing an e-mail from your constituent Mr Luke Jarvest, regarding dyed fish sales in the UK. You may be aware that Defra published the Animal Welfare Bill last year which is now being considered by Parliament. The practice of dyeing fish will be dealt with under regulations under the Bill. Up-to-date information on this and other issues relating to animal health and welfare can be found in the Defra website for: www.defra.gov.uk. The specific rules for the import of different species of animal are complex and varied. Most animal health import rules are set by the European Union and are common for all Member States. The rules are specific to each animal species and vary depending on the purpose of the import. Unfortunately, the UK Government cannot unilaterally declare a trade ban on imports of dyed fish if the trade is allowed under EU law. To declare such a ban would contravene free trade rules and be illegal under EU law. If the UK attempted to enact such a ban, it would be liable to infraction proceedings by the EU Commission. The UK Government can only declare a ban if the matter concerns animal health and welfare or human health and welfare. With best wishes, BEN BRADSHAW (NVESTOR IN PEOPLE wow what a reply |
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May 19 2006, 09:52 AM
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#86
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 Leader of the Fishes Group: Members Posts: 1016 Joined: 20-July 04 From: Home of the Crooked Spire (Derbyshire,UK) Member No.: 8116 |
Yep, I've just had the same thing
 I think if enough people keep the pressure up, DEFRA may take it seriously and push it through as an amendment once the original bill is in force  It was also nice to see that Ben Bradshaw (or rather his poor secretary no doubt) is personalising the letters, not only to the MP but also referring to the constituant too. Keep up the good work people Arfie |
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May 19 2006, 04:38 PM
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#87
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Fish Addict Group: Members Posts: 667 Joined: 24-February 06 From: hartshill,S-O-T,England Member No.: 19386 |
QUOTE It was also nice to see that Ben Bradshaw (or rather his poor secretary no doubt) is personalising the letters, not only to the MP but also referring to the constituant too. XD was alittle shocked at the effort it was all posh like for a likkle old boy like me lol it was on yellow card/thick paper itts the same stuff we are at the moment boing for our C.vs at high school so its now with my fish stuff |
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May 19 2006, 08:11 PM
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#88
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 Newbie Group: Member Posts: 14 Joined: 7-April 06 From: Bristol Member No.: 20424 |
It took a few weeks but I had a response today. I will type it verbatim as I dont have a scanner.
Dear Mr Hartfield Thank you for your recent email regarding dyeing fish. I can confirm that the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs has stated that the recently passed animal welfare act will make it illegal to dye fish using certain techniques in the UK. This includes tattooing. which would be considered a mutilation and therfore banned under section 5 of the act. DEFRA has confirmed that there are currently no plans to ban the import of dyed fish, which will therefore continue to be in sale in the UK. The department may reconsider this position during the public consultation on future regulations covering the pet trade. I do believe it wrong that we should allow such imports to continue, and I will do what I can to ensure that the issue is brought to the Departments attention during the consultation. DEFRA has no current plans to ban other techniques not involving the physical interference with body tissues, such as feeding of certain foods. I understand, however, that the publication Practical Fishkeeping has been campaigning to restrict the sale of artificially dyed fish for a number of years. Their postion is that although they concede that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that such dyes are a welfare issue, they would "rather see naturally coloured species on sale". I would certainly concour with this view. I hope this provides some reassurance to you, and recent measures are just the first step in tackiling this issue. Please do not hesistate to cantact me if there are any further issues you would like to bring to my attention. Yours Sincerely Kerry McCarthy MP So although it may not be all that we want it is certainly getting closer to a ban we just have to keep the pressure on |
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May 20 2006, 07:32 PM
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#89
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Fish Fanatic Group: Members Posts: 51 Joined: 24-March 06 From: uk kent Member No.: 20074 |
QUOTE(mephisto @ May 19 2006, 09:11 PM) [snapback]1191206[/snapback] It took a few weeks but I had a response today. I will type it verbatim as I dont have a scanner. Dear Mr Hartfield Thank you for your recent email regarding dyeing fish. I can confirm that the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs has stated that the recently passed animal welfare act will make it illegal to dye fish using certain techniques in the UK. This includes tattooing. which would be considered a mutilation and therfore banned under section 5 of the act. DEFRA has confirmed that there are currently no plans to ban the import of dyed fish, which will therefore continue to be in sale in the UK. The department may reconsider this position during the public consultation on future regulations covering the pet trade. I do believe it wrong that we should allow such imports to continue, and I will do what I can to ensure that the issue is brought to the Departments attention during the consultation. DEFRA has no current plans to ban other techniques not involving the physical interference with body tissues, such as feeding of certain foods. I understand, however, that the publication Practical Fishkeeping has been campaigning to restrict the sale of artificially dyed fish for a number of years. Their postion is that although they concede that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that such dyes are a welfare issue, they would "rather see naturally coloured species on sale". I would certainly concour with this view. I hope this provides some reassurance to you, and recent measures are just the first step in tackiling this issue. Please do not hesistate to cantact me if there are any further issues you would like to bring to my attention. Yours Sincerely Kerry McCarthy MP So although it may not be all that we want it is certainly getting closer to a ban we just have to keep the pressure on I have had the same letter twice so i think maybe we are being phobed Off oh well we tried |
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Jun 5 2006, 02:23 PM
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#90
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 Newbie Group: Member Posts: 2 Joined: 5-June 06 From: cardiff Member No.: 21858 |
[size=6]
OMG thats horrid. I'm setting up my first tank ( 1st proper tank anyway ) and I'm going to be getting tropical fish for a few years before I go onto Marine fish. Obviously Marine fish are usually a lot more colorful and usually pretty and so I was trying to find somewhere in these forums to ask the question > "What are the best looking/prettiest/most colorful Tropical fish??" That dying process is disgusting and shows how damn selfish us humans can be. Is there anywhere on the internet that you know of that shows how fish NATURALLY look so that we can all stay clear of buying these poor fish? As I'm looking for fish based largely on looks, I think its probable that people like myself are more likely to unknowingly purchase these poor chaps. Wouldn't it be good if we could watch animal abusers getting EATEN! 
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Jun 6 2006, 09:48 AM
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#91
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 16 Joined: 27-September 05 Member No.: 16127 |
well done
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Jun 7 2006, 05:24 PM
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#92
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Fish Fanatic Group: Members Posts: 42 Joined: 27-May 06 Member No.: 21625 |
cant help i live in US =(
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Jun 8 2006, 11:43 AM
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#93
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 Fish Crazy Group: Members Posts: 110 Joined: 6-November 05 From: Wrexham,N.Wales Member No.: 16827 |
QUOTE(Phoenixfish @ May 18 2006, 03:52 PM) [snapback]1189530[/snapback] QUOTE HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON SW1A OAA May 16th 2006 Dear Mr Jarvest, I have received a reply from DEFRA, which I enclose. This highlights an inherent problem with the EU it enables many good an important things to happen but it also creates rather pointless rigidities such as this. It would not undermine the benefits of Community membership if there was some discretion granted to member states on matters like this. I am sorry. PP MARK FISHER MP With best wishes Yours sincerely QUOTE Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P3JR Telephone 08459 335577 Email helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk Website www.defra.gov.uk Mark Fisher MP House of Commons London Our ref: 242976/FM SW1AOAA 8 May 2006 From the Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare Ben Bradshaw MP Thank you for your letter of 13 March enclosing an e-mail from your constituent Mr Luke Jarvest, regarding dyed fish sales in the UK.................................................Unfortunately, the UK Government cannot unilaterally declare a trade ban on imports of dyed fish if the trade is allowed under EU law. To declare such a ban would contravene free trade rules and be illegal under EU law. If the UK attempted to enact such a ban, it would be liable to infraction proceedings by the EU Commission. The UK Government can only declare a ban if the matter concerns animal health and welfare or human health and welfare. With best wishes, BEN BRADSHAW (NVESTOR IN PEOPLE wow what a reply Ok people, its time to get serious, if someone could draught a good letter, ( I am hopeless at writing official sounding letters) lets start sending them to our MEP's to bring up in Brussels, this issue is CLEARLY out of our own governments hands, and by the looks of thinks this is a Europe wide issue. "contravineing free trade" I ask you!! |
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Jun 9 2006, 12:28 AM
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#94
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Leader of the Fishes Group: Members Posts: 1016 Joined: 20-July 04 From: Home of the Crooked Spire (Derbyshire,UK) Member No.: 8116 |
Thats an odd reply, the fact that it is a practice banned within the UK due to it being cruel, automatically makes it a matter of animal welfare
 I think Ben Bradshaw must be getting a bit pissed off with us now  Keep it up  Arfie |
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Jun 10 2006, 11:10 PM
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#95
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 The one they call the mule Group: Members Posts: 6103 Joined: 13-January 06 From: Oxford, England Member No.: 18201 |
QUOTE(Phoenixfish @ May 18 2006, 03:52 PM) [snapback]1189530[/snapback] The UK Government can only declare a ban if the matter concerns animal health and welfare or human health and welfare. I'm sorry but what the hell it is if its not a matter of animal welfare! Can we not just adapt the original letter to send to Brussels? Also might be worth letting PFK know about this and the Brussels idea? Sam |
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Jun 13 2006, 02:13 PM
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#96
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 Fish Fanatic Group: Members Posts: 41 Joined: 12-June 06 From: wisbech cambs\norfolk border Member No.: 22065 |
hi all. i send me mp an email and this is the reply i got
Dear Alastair I totally share your abhorrence at this practice and I will feed your comments through to our team who are dealing with this legislation. Thank you for writing to me on this important matter. Malcolm Moss so lets hope its an honest reply and some thing will get done |
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Jun 20 2006, 10:58 AM
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#97
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 it's a shame stupidity isn't painfull Group: Newsletter Team Posts: 1268 Joined: 9-January 06 From: south shields Member No.: 18103 |
i got a reply a while ago but never heard anything since hes at a local recreation centre alot so i might go jump on him there im going to send the letter again too
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Jul 22 2006, 11:04 AM
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#98
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Fish Crazy Group: Members Posts: 184 Joined: 4-July 06 From: North West UK Member No.: 22644 |
Thanks for the draft letter for our MPs about fish dyeing that makes it easy to write, but noting the date of the first posting of this is it still current? Has there been any movement on this issue recently? I will sen |