While at the League Against Cruel Sports summer reception event at the House of Commons on Wednesday I met Care for the Wild International Director Mark Jones, who amongst other noble animal welfare projects, is currently campaigning for a ban on the sale of live turtles by Tesco in China.

Tesco continue to sell live turtles, regardless of the fact that that two fifths of the world’s tortoises and turtles and three quarters of Asian species are at risk of extinction due to human consumption. There is even a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) legislation restricting trade in turtle species. Likewise, the species that is sold in the stores, the softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is consequently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Animals as a direct result of harvesting for food. By promoting the sale of turtles for food, many would claim that Tesco are arguably actively contributing, and therefore partially responsible, for the global decline of turtle populations. The  attitude of Tesco of continuing to sell these turtles despite pressure from Care For The Wild International’s concerns, further raises questions on corporate ethics, for one of Britain’s largest chains is profiting from the sale of these live vulnerable  animals.

Through tireless campaigning CWI have managed to alter Tesco’s treatment of live produce slightly, for example Tesco only sell farmed specimens of one species, and they have slightly improved the method of in-store slaughter, but this is not enough. By allowing customers to purchase live animals, Tesco have no control over the slaughter methods people will use at home.

Sadly, a lot of people don’t know about Tesco’s treatment of live animals in their supermarkets, I didn’t until recently, so it is so vitally important that we spread awareness of this issue, and  ask Tesco to change their policy.

Care for the Wild Appeal

Wildlife Extra article

Animals of Asia article