The European Union is edging ever closer to adopting a “Positive List”—a restrictive whitelist of species that may legally be kept or traded as pets. Any animal not on the list would be prohibited by default. Supporters say it will improve animal welfare, reduce zoonotic disease and curb invasive species. Critics fear it is a sledgehammer solution that will criminalise responsible keepers and drive the trade underground. This article explains what the Positive List is, where the policy sits today, how it might affect the UK, and why The Frogfather supports a more balanced, evidence-based middle ground.
1. What Is the EU Positive List?
In November 2022 the European Parliament adopted Resolution B9-0489/2022, requesting the European Commission to explore an EU-wide Positive List for exotic pets :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}. The concept flips the traditional blacklist: instead of banning a few dangerous species, a whitelist explicitly allows only those animals scientifically deemed suitable for private keeping :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
The Commission is now running a multi-year feasibility and impact study (2024–25) to determine the practicalities of writing a single list that would apply across all twenty-seven Member States :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Draft legislation is expected late 2025, with implementation likely some time in 2026 or later :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Key drivers
- Public health – c. 70 % of emerging zoonoses originate in wildlife.
- Animal welfare – high mortality along the supply chain for wild-caught exotics.
- Biodiversity – escapes/releases can establish invasive populations.
- Market traceability – most traded species fall outside CITES and move unrecorded across borders.
2. What Might Be on the List?
No EU master list exists yet, but national models (Belgium, Malta, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Finland and most recently Spain) give clues :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}:
- Very common domesticated mammals (e.g. hamsters, guinea-pigs) and birds.
- Popular aquarium fish.
- A handful of small, non-venomous reptiles and amphibians deemed low-risk.
- Excluded by default: primates, large cats, venomous or giant snakes, most turtles, many lizards and amphibian species not explicitly assessed.
Each inclusion decision is based on welfare needs, zoonotic potential, invasiveness risk and public-safety concerns, scored through a scientific risk matrix :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
3. Timeline at a Glance
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 24 Nov 2022 | EP resolution calling for a Positive List :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
| 2023 | Commission adds study to Wildlife Trafficking Action Plan |
| Nov 2024 | Feasibility/impact study formally launched :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Late 2025 (est.) | Draft legislative proposal to amend Regulation 338/97 |
| 2026 + | Adoption by Council & Parliament | member-state transposition |
4. Responsible Reptile Keeping (RRK) – Campaign & Petition
Responsible Reptile Keeping (RRK) is a global membership organisation advocating for high husbandry standards, science-based policy and fair treatment of reptile keepers :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
“Pets driven underground… People still keep pets, but without proper help or guidance, animal welfare is at risk.” – RRK on the hidden dangers of Positive Lists :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
RRK’s online petition warns that a sweeping whitelist could ban “thousands of species” and urges regulators to work with, not against, responsible hobbyists :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
The campaign is active across social media; a recent post noted that a strict list “would mobilise passionate pet keepers against the EU… many would rather break the law than give up their animals” :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
5. What Could It Mean for the UK?
- Regulatory alignment – For exports to the EU to continue smoothly, the UK may mirror at least parts of the Positive List in future trade rules.
- Northern Ireland – Under the Windsor Framework, NI could end up applying EU animal-trade legislation while Great Britain does not, creating an internal divergence.
- Domestic politics – Growing public awareness may push Westminster towards its own whitelist or hybrid regime; UK lobby groups (RRK and others) are already engaging MPs.
6. The Frogfather Perspective: A Necessary Middle Ground
The Frogfather agrees that tighter regulation can:
- Close loopholes left by non-CITES species.
- Improve welfare through minimum-standard thresholds.
- Provide better data on husbandry, disease and trade volumes.
Yet a blanket Positive List risks over-correction. Our recommendations echo RRK’s position:
- Science-led criteria – Transparent scoring for welfare, safety and ecological impact.
- Appeals & exemptions – A clear, affordable pathway to add well-studied, captive-bred species.
- Grandfather rights – Current owners should keep animals for life, with breeding licences where justified.
- Strengthened self-regulation – Support peer-reviewed care standards and breeder accreditation rather than outlawing entire taxonomic groups.
7. How You Can Act
🐸 Sign the petition: Protect Your Pets – Say NO to Harmful Positive Lists
📝 Share evidence-based husbandry guides within your networks.
📧 Write to your MP—ask them to support proportional, science-driven regulation that recognises responsible keepers.
