Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering introducing a positive list of permitted exotic animals, and if so, whether it has considered any potential risks, including legal cases and the creation of underground markets, as experienced in other European countries that have pursued a similar scheme.
The Scottish Government is still in the process of developing its position on the keeping of exotic animals as pets. To ensure our position is balanced and informed by evidence, we continue to engage with relevant stakeholders and review available research, reports, and data, including reports produced by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission and Scotland's Rural College.