Westminster Reception for Stop Sea Turtle Farming
News
World Animal Protection hosts reception at Westminster for the Stop Sea Turtle Farming campaign
MPs joined World Animal Protection on Tuesday 13 May for the launch of their new report on the Cayman Turtle Farm.
The report, The Cayman Turtle Farm: A Continued Case for Change, was presented at a reception at Westminster and MPs were urged to make a pledge in support of the campaign.
Download a copy of the report>>
(This report was produced when we were still known as WSPA. Find out about our name change.)
The Cayman Turtle Farm is the last remaining sea turtle farm in the world, with over 9,500 endangered green sea turtles which are bred to meet a perceived demand for local turtle meat.
World Animal Protection believes the Farm has lost its original sense of purpose and is now seriously undermining the health and welfare of sea turtles farmed on the premises. The Farm brings potentially devastating impacts on the wild sea turtles populations and marine biodiversity, while also operating at a significant loss and massive cost to Caymanians.
In January, the Environmental Audit Committee launched their own report on the UK Overseas Territories. It contained findings about the Cayman Turtle Farm that echoed the concerns voiced by World Animal Protection. The reception was an opportunity for World Animal Protection to consolidate these findings and make a clear argument for the farm to transform into a turtle rescue and rehabilitation centre.
14 MPs pledged their support and 35 attended the event. Speakers included Joan Walley, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North and Dr Matthew Offord MP, both of whom has visited the farm and expressed their concerns.
UK Director of Campaigns & Communications Simon Pope said: “World Animal Protection is urging the UK Government to work with the Cayman Islands Government to ensure there is a timely transition of the facility into a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The Government have yet to make a comment regarding the facility, claiming it is simply a matter for the Cayman Islands.”
World Animal Protection will continue to call for the Cayman Turtle Farm to transition into a rehabilitation and release facility for sea turtles in the Caribbean.
We are urging the UK Government to work with the Cayman Islands Government to ensure there is a timely transition of the facility into a rescue and rehabilitation centre.