The Auction Clamp Down
Aquarists want the opportunity to discuss rules relating to fish auctions with those imposing restrictions.
Remember this?........
Take a good long look. 'This was how we held an auction in the old days son'
Councils
are currently flexing their muscles in stopping these sort of events. Manchester
is currently being affected with fish auctions being withdrawn from the BAF &
FNAS events this year (2005). These are major events!
As
far back as 2002 the policy of Manchester CC was 'that this authority does
not endorse the sale of live animals in public places & by no longer licensing
such events has made clear our position on this'. Ian MacFarlaine V.N. Animal
Health Officer.
What about a cattle market? Is this not a sale of live animals
in a public place? Theoretically these should be banned & we should all go
without meat on our tables!
Aberdeen has been affected. David Gamble writes:-
'Regarding fish auctions here in Aberdeen we have held auctions for years and
only lately have we had probs since certain persons complained to environmental
health resulting in us having to obtain a license at a cost of £65. We also
are not allowed to sell open sandwiches etc'.
My
response would be to press Aberdeen CC for a breakdown of these charges &
where this money is being placed.
This
is the start of the end of fish auctions in the UK. The new DEFRA rules now coming
in are not even picked up on by most councils. All they had to go on regarding
fish auctions was the Pet Animal Act of 1951 (Amended 1983).
I've researched
many documents from Manchester Council regarding the BAF shows. You would not
believe this guff. I would put it online save for the fact it is direct personal
correspondance in the main with some criteria required by different acts.
By
sorting the wheat from the chaff it would appear the loophole can be found around
making the event open to members only. It is illegal to charge a membership entrance
amount & call it a membership fee as an entry fee BUT, you can charge a bone
fide membership fee (which can be proved in our newsletter) to join say the BKA
at the approprite rate on the door. The Midland auction is increasingly cosmopolitan
so we could jointly organise it with BKA, BLA, BCA, CSG etc. If members showed
proof of membership to any organisation it would be acceptable in the eyes of
the act.
The Council appears to have the last say however in giving approval
for the event (if all else fails the umpire has the final word!).
Whether it's
the act interpreted above or DEFRA's interpretation or something else waiting
in the wings we should be prepared to have a convincing arguement to put to them
in our defense & not sit back & let it wash over us.
The Koi people
put up a strong case but it was still bulldozed.
But wait a minute, this
is only the Pet Animal Act 1951 (Amended 1983). Manchester CC seem to be enforcing
this act. The new DEFRA rules are not yet included which would suggest when they
are we would have to all be members & pay a £5 entrance fee to pay the
beaurocrats to enable the organisers to hold the event (if they want to go through
the hassle).
Whether we like it or not our auctions are going to get squeezed & may get stopped totally in the years to come.
Fight Back
Put
your comments to me now & I will print them out. If I get enough I will lobby
my MP.
I predict within 2 years most UK auctions could be closed down by local
councils.
Redditch Council are very pet conscious.
To sell pets in this town you need to know about gerbils et al. They could easily
close the Midland charity auction down & deprive hundreds of pounds each year
getting to needy causes.
The Livebearer Association had to pull out of auctioning
fish at BAF due to MCC regulations. Littleborough is in MCC jurisdiction. It's
on your doorstep lads. Ain't ignorance bliss.