“Illegal tortoise trade is happening in Britain” (DEFRA, 2004). An estimated 10 million tortoises were shipped into the UK for the pet trade between 1890 and 1984 before the initial ban was introduced. This trade is back! … and tortoises are being imported in substantial numbers. However, DEFRA are failing to prevent this illegal trade and are in fact licensing it. These tortoises go through untold misery and often arrive here with chronic worm infestations and dehydrated, which far too often contributes to their early demise.