Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Strengthen law on tortoise breeding, ownership and imports
Closed
37 signatures
What the petition asks
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.
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.
Timeline
| 27 Mar 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 27 Sep 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
37
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
27 Mar 2025
Closed
27 Sep 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 24 Aug 2026.