Are Apple Snails legal in the UK?

[StripySnailGirl04]

Are Apple Snails legal in the UK? Before brexit, I knew that they were prohibited. Now, however, many articles say they are no longer illegal but I am not sure about this. Legal or not to legal?

 

[Slaphppy7]

I believe I read here from @Essjay that they are now legal, but will wait for confirmation

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Thank you! I've always wanted a few.

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Yep, recently the ban was lifted due to the whole leaving the EU thing.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Thank you very much.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Does anyone have recommendations from where you can get apple snails? Preferably no shipping.

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Does anyone have recommendations from where you can get apple snails? Preferably no shipping.

Not sure whereabouts you live, but the Maidenhead Aquatics I'm close to sells them. Since the ban was lifted I've seen quite a few shops stocking them.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Not sure whereabouts you live, but the Maidenhead Aquatics I'm close to sells them. Since the ban was lifted I've seen quite a few shops stocking them.

OK. Maidenhead aquatics in either Braintree or Woodbridge seem like possible options for me.

 

[Essjay]

This is an article written by OATA on the subject

Apple snails can return to GB aquariums after restriction lifts - OATA - The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association

Apple snails can again be imported and sold in England, Scotland and Wales (but not Northern Ireland) after the genus Pomacea was removed from the list of quarantined pests in legislation passed in January. Apple snails have been prevented from sale in the UK since the EU stopped their movement...

ornamentalfish.org

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

This is an article written by OATA on the subject

Apple snails can return to GB aquariums after restriction lifts - OATA - The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association

Apple snails can again be imported and sold in England, Scotland and Wales (but not Northern Ireland) after the genus Pomacea was removed from the list of quarantined pests in legislation passed in January. Apple snails have been prevented from sale in the UK since the EU stopped their movement...

ornamentalfish.org

Thank you. I will read this.

 

[Sgooosh]

how bout in america?
i have some mystery snails but not apple snails
unless same thing

 

[TheTenthDoctor]

how bout in america?
i have some mystery snails but not apple snails
unless same thing

They are legal in America too…I’ve seen mystery and apple snails sold all over

 

[Sgooosh]

They are legal in America too…I’ve seen mystery and apple snails sold all over

yay

 

[Essjay]

Pomaceas snails - all species - have only been banned in the EU as far as I'm aware. This is because one Pomacea species was found in a river in Spain so the EU decided to ban all species in all member countries regardless of whether they could survive in the low winter temperatures of some northern countries.
Now that the UK has left the EU, the law banning the import and selling of Pomacea snails has been repealed (except in Northern Ireland) as they are unlikely to survive winters here so they don't present a problem.

Edit to add - I don't know what species are currently being sold here but before the ban apple snails were mostly Pomacea diffusa (old name P. bridgesii), though a few other species could sometimes be found in fish stores. Are mystery snails in the US P. diffusa or a different species?