TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the legislature on Sunday to oppose the Ministry of Agriculture’s (MOA) plan to add 955 species to the “List of Animals Banned from Being Owned, Imported, or Exported.”
Organized by the Pet Ownership Defense Alliance and exotic pet owners, the protesters argued that the ban would drive the exotic pet trade underground. They also claimed the MOA drafted the list of prohibited species without consulting pet owners, according to CNA.
The proposed ban covers a wide range of exotic animals, including snapping turtles, raccoons, iguanas, Burmese pythons, and other species.
Yuki, the owner of a Burmese python, said her pet was initially included on the prohibited list, then temporarily removed, but is now under reconsideration. She criticized the government for ignoring the opinions of exotic pet owners.
While acknowledging that exotic pet owners are a minority compared to dog and cat owners, Yuki urged the government to address their concerns through a reasonable management system rather than outright bans on ownership and breeding. She noted there are few instances of harm caused by reptiles and other exotic pets, and a democratic society should not suppress pet ownership rights based on fear or insecurity.
Ke Hsin-ping (柯心平), a member of the Pet Ownership Defense Alliance, argued that banning pet breeding is counterproductive, as many of the species on the list have been part of the public pet trade for years. She warned that the ban would push the trade underground and potentially increase smuggling.
Ke added that exotic pet owners are not making excessive demands but simply seeking the same treatment as dog and cat owners. She also criticized the shift from proposals by experts for careful management, such as a grading and classification system, to a broad ban.
Chiang Wen-chuan (江文全), head of the MOA’s Animal Welfare Department, said the tiered management system is still under discussion and that the opinions of all stakeholders will be considered. He emphasized that import, breeding, and sale will require detailed management, with public hearings planned to solicit input and reach consensus.
Chiang noted that exotic pets face challenges with microchipping and mandatory registration compared to dogs and cats. He said more coordination and communication with exotic pet owners would be necessary to address these issues.
