Jacqui's Captive Bred Tortoises

In 1984 it was agreed with the EEC Council to treat three species of Mediterranean tortoise which were  the Spur-thighed, Herman's and Marginated Tortoise from Greece, according to Annex A, of The Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).  The Egyptian Tortoise was added to Annex A in 1994. 

This meant that these four species were protected and commercial trade strictly prohibited.  

For the sale or exchange of these protected tortoises by private individuals a licence known as an Article 10 is required, this is obtainable from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) at Bristol.

(Below is an example of an Article 10 certificate. It will be yellow in colour and states the species, country of origin, date of hatch and parents details etc. It is perfectly legal for the breeder to remove thier address details for safety. Once your tortoise reaches 100m in length, you can have it microchipped and apply for an Article 10 in your own name. It is however, perfectly legal, unless you intend to breed and sell the offspring just to keep the original Article 10.)

This regulation also applies to the selling of eggs. However it does not apply to the giving away of either tortoises or eggs.  

It is an offence, carrying a custodial sentence to sell Annex A tortoises without an appropriate licence, anyone trying to do so, should be reported to DEFRA and the local police, wild animal section.