Pet Industry Association of Australia wins fight to have reptiles sold in NSW pet stores Macklan Jeoffreys gets close to an albino Darwin carpet python while his sister, Tahlia, holds a spotted python. Picture: Kelly Rohan Source: The Daily Telegraph IN a coup for the pet industry, reptiles including snakes, lizards and turtles will be sold in pet shops for the first time. The move brings NSW in line with other mainland states and is hoped to help stamp out a thriving black market for reptiles fuelled by backyard breeders and those caught in the wild. Environment Minister Robyn Parker overturned the ban on selling reptiles in pet shops on Thursday after 15 years of lobbying by Australia's peak pet industry body the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA). PIAA director Bob Croucher said the decision would better regulate the sale of reptiles and provide owners with more information on how to care for, maintain and feed their reptilian family member. "It's a logical decision," he said. What's been hard to understand until now is why you could buy a snake from a backyard breeder in a Macca's carpark but you couldn't buy a turtle from a pet shop. Reptiles are the fastest growing sector of the pet industry and Mr Croucher said the ban on selling them through accredited pet shops was a failed, archaic attempt to protect some of Australia's most popular animals. "It was a misguided thought it would help animals but to be honest the opposite happened, it fostered this grey and black market," he said. Currently it is legal to own certain reptiles in NSW under a tiered licensing scheme administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Under the approval for reptiles to be sold in NSW pet stores, a copy of which was sent to NPWS and is effective immediately, Mr Croucher said the plan was for people to obtain a Class 1 licence from the retailer at the point of purchase. The species of snakes, lizards and turtles to be sold in pet shops are among the most common, easy to look after and fall under the Class 1 licence, which requires the owner to be 16 and over or have the written permission of their guardian. Previously pet shops were able to sell enclosures, food and all manner of accessories to house a reptile but the individual was forced to buy it through online classifieds, backyard breeders, interstate dealers or illegally at markets. A licence to sell reptiles will only be given to a dealer who conducts their business in a pet shop, demonstrates appropriate knowledge and meets strict animal housing standards and security. A licence will not be issued to anyone trading from a residential premises. The popularity of reptiles as pets has skyrocketed with more than 3000 license applications between 2005 and 2007. Mr Croucher said apartment living and minimal care requirements had changed the profile of a typical owner.