DWA licence for scorpions in the uk

[Colin93]

Not asking because I want one, more just interested in the details on them, can you actually get a DWA licence in the UK for a private collection of pet scorpions? My collection contains nothing that requires the licence, I just really like Parabuthus transvaalicus, when I was reading up on them I found that they do require a licence, (probably should have known that really knowing how venous they are) but as I said I am not asking for info on abstaining one I'm just wondering if someone can actually get one for a private collection? Thank you

 

[HeartBum]

You can get one if you have a DWA - pretty much answered that yourself!

 

[Colin93]

You can get one if you have a DWA - pretty much answered that yourself!

I know that haha I probably worded it badly, I always assumed dwa licences were for vets or zoo's, but apparently they don't require them, I just want to know if it's possible to get one for private collections as I never really thought about it before

 

[basin79]

I know that haha I probably worded it badly, I always assumed dwa licences were for vets or zoo's, but apparently they don't require them, I just want to know if it's possible to get one for private collections as I never really thought about it before

Yep you can get a DWA licence. You have to contact your local council. Sadly their isn't a set list or cost though. Each council makes their own rules and sets their own price.

So for example someone might apply and all the council want is that the animals are kept in secure enclosures. Charge you £100 for 2 years.

Another council might want you to have a double door system into the room. A window in each door. Enclosures padlocked. The room locked. No gaps in the room and charge £2000 for 2 years.

Doesn't hurt to email your council just to ask them though.

 

[Colin93]

I had a look earlier today and the application needs to be sent with a £114 payment, good to know you can have it for private use tho, obviously if I were to do it I would take proper precautions, but im happy with my collection for now lol, thanks for the info I appreciate it

 

[basin79]

I had a look earlier today and the application needs to be sent with a £114 payment, good to know you can have it for private use tho, obviously if I were to do it I would take proper precautions, but im happy with my collection for now lol, thanks for the info I appreciate it

That's cheap. I'd still email them and ask what they require. Always handy to know.

 

[Colin93]

That's cheap. I'd still email them and ask what they require. Always handy to know.

I will do, it's a shame because there are some amazing scorpions out there that you can't have without it, obviously you would never handle something like a deathstalker but I would absolutely love to have one secure in an enclosure, as I will likely never see one otherwise

 

[basin79]

I will do, it's a shame because there are some amazing scorpions out there that you can't have without it, obviously you would never handle something like a deathstalker but I would absolutely love to have one secure in an enclosure, as I will likely never see one otherwise

Aye, I'd love some DWA myself. A few scorps and spiders. The DWA is in need of a massive overhaul but it won't happen. The DWA is there to protect the public not the owner. But that typed the chances of a scorpion getting out and becoming a danger is pretty much zero if kept by someone sensible.

Alas some aren't sensible so I do understand why the license is there.

 

[Colin93]

Aye, I'd love some DWA myself. A few scorps and spiders. The DWA is in need of a massive overhaul but it won't happen. The DWA is there to protect the public not the owner. But that typed the chances of a scorpion getting out and becoming a danger is pretty much zero if kept by someone sensible.

Alas some aren't sensible so I do understand why the license is there.

Yeah I understand why it's there it's just a shame that us sensible keepers have to jump through hoops to get one, hopefully the property checks for licencing are sensible at least, I keep all mine secure in their enclosures even my P. Imperator's, and I keep the room locked too

 

[basin79]

Yeah I understand why it's there it's just a shame that us sensible keepers have to jump through hoops to get one, hopefully the property checks for licencing are sensible at least, I keep all mine secure in their enclosures even my P. Imperator's, and I keep the room locked too

Hopefully. Plus if you're right with them from the start they might well make adjustments if you only plan on keeping scorpions rather than say you where going for a high end hot snake.

 

[Colin93]

Hopefully. Plus if you're right with them from the start they might well make adjustments if you only plan on keeping scorpions rather than say you where going for a high end hot snake.

Yeah hopefully, never had any interest in keeping snakes or tarantula's, only scorpions for me haha

 

[Ian14]

There are hidden costs in a DWAL application.
The act requires your premises to be inspected by a vet. And guess who pays for that?!
And you also need to have Public Liability Insurance.
Bare in mind too that the licence, if you get one, is not carte blanche to keep what you want. You have to specify the species, numbers and sexes of specimens kept.
Amy addition to what you are licenced to keep will require an application to vary the licence.
One thing to remember is that some local authorities are a but behind and don't realise that a) a licence lasts two years and b) it is renewed on its anniversary not the 1st January as it was pre 2006.
Also, remember that if you are renting, either privately or via social housing, you must have written permission from the landlord to keep DWAA specimens on the premises.

 

[Ian14]

One other point to consider is the cost. Local Authorities are only allowed to charge a fee that reflects their costs. So charging thousands will have to be justified when othe LAs charge in the low hundreds. What they are not allowed to do is to set a fee so high that people cannot afford to apply, because they do not want DWAA Schedule 1 species being kept.

 

[Colin93]

One other point to consider is the cost. Local Authorities are only allowed to charge a fee that reflects their costs. So charging thousands will have to be justified when othe LAs charge in the low hundreds. What they are not allowed to do is to set a fee so high that people cannot afford to apply, because they do not want DWAA Schedule 1 species being kept.

Yeah I heard about the hidden costs and having to declare what you are keeping, and scorpions come under schedule 2 don't they? That's what I read somewhere anyway

 

[Ian14]

Yeah I heard about the hidden costs and having to declare what you are keeping, and scorpions come under schedule 2 don't they? That's what I read somewhere anyway

There is no such thing as Schedule 2.
Either a species is banned or it isn't. Schedule 1 is the list of species you cannot keep unless holding an exemption licence for that species issued by the Local Authority.
For scorpions, that is all species in the Buthidae family.
The council and vet inspection is for the species you have applied to be exempted from the Act to keep.

 

[Colin93]

There is no such thing as Schedule 2.
Either a species is banned or it isn't. Schedule 1 is the list of species you cannot keep unless holding an exemption licence for that species issued by the Local Authority.
For scorpions, that is all species in the Buthidae family.
The council and vet inspection is for the species you have applied to be exempted from the Act to keep.

Ah whatever I read was bollocks then lol, so is it only the buthidae family that is on the list?

 

[Ian14]

Ah whatever I read was bollocks then lol, so is it only the buthidae family that is on the list?

Yes. All buthids are banned under the DWAA unless you have a licence to exempt you.
A simple Google search will give you the current Schedule 1 list of species.

 

[Ian14]

Ah whatever I read was bollocks then lol, so is it only the buthidae family that is on the list?

If you want any advice on the DWAA feel free to ask, its a piece of legislation I am quite familiar with.

 

[Colin93]

If you want any advice on the DWAA feel free to ask, its a piece of legislation I am quite familiar with.

Thanks I'll keep that in mind, appreciate all the info