BASILDON Council will ensure any illegal exotic animal trading in the borough is stopped in future after an operation raised serious concerns.

The council teamed up with the Animal Protection Agency to target a reptile market, at which undercover agency investigators filmed what they believe was unlawful animal trading.

However, no arrests or prosecutions resulted from the operation.

The event was organised by the Essex Reptile and Amphibian Club and the British Reptiles and Amphibians Society who had described the event as a breeders’ meeting at which no commercial animal selling would take place.

Basildon Council worked closely with the Animal Protection Agency to investigate if any illegal trading took place at the reptile market at Barleylands on July 17.

The council worked with Barleylands to try to ensure no illegal trading took place, that the event complied with legislation and even barred some people from attending.

The agency has commended the council for examining the evidence closely, giving clear and timely advice to the venue and supporting calls for local venue managers to be vigilant and cautious about accepting bookings for exotic pet markets.

Basildon Council has reaffirmed its commitment to taking action against anyone who flouts the law.

A spokesman for the council said: “Basildon Council has a statutory requirement to govern and enforce the Pet Animals Act.

“Part of this work requires regular communication with event organisers and venues in the area to remind them of the rules and their responsibilities and we are pleased that in this instance there was a positive outcome. We continually monitor events and encourage members of the public to report any activity involving the illegal sale of animals to us.”

It is against the law to trade in exotic animals at market stalls as the welfare of animals cannot be safeguarded in such temporary conditions.

However, some market organisers try and bypass this by describing the event as a show or a breeders’ meeting.

Barleylands has since insisted that it will no longer be associated with the activities that took place that day and will no longer accommodate similar events.

Elaine Toland, director of the Animal Protection Agency, said: “By continuing to work alongside local councils and venues, we are determined to see an end to animals being sold in such shockingly poor conditions. Footage obtained by our investigators showed lizards, tortoises and snakes barely able to move in small plastic boxes with little to no temperature or humidity control.”

The organisation described Basildon Council’s actions as “best practice” and have urged other councils to follow suit.