Chris Packham criticizes eBay for permitting pet fish to be shipped in ’soda bottles‘

Chris Packham CBE, a well-known animal welfare campaigner, has recently accused eBay of allowing ‚irresponsible cruelty‘ by permitting pet fish to be posted in ‚fizzy drink‘ bottles to new owners. This shocking revelation came to light after a customer named Tara Smith purchased 10 cardinal tetra fish from a private seller on eBay, only to find them in a distressing state upon arrival.

Tara was horrified to discover one dead fish and the remaining ones looking pale, stressed, and listlessly swimming around in a 330ml bottle. She described the journey of the fish as being akin to them being ‚thrown around in a washing machine‘, with four more fish dying days later due to the ordeal they had been subjected to during transit.

eBay’s live animals policy allows sellers to list aquarium or pond fish up to 5cm long, provided they have the necessary permits and can guarantee safe overnight delivery. However, Chris Packham criticized this policy, calling it ‚blatant persecution‘ and arguing that suggesting a 5cm limit to suffering and cruelty was absurd.

The RSPCA also expressed concern over eBay’s current policies regarding the sale and shipment of live fish. They stated that they would be reaching out to eBay to discuss the matter further, emphasizing the importance of treating all animals, including fish, with kindness and respect.

Despite eBay’s guidelines, many sellers on the platform continue to list live fish for sale, with some offering refunds in the event of fish arriving dead on arrival. However, numerous buyers have reported receiving fish in inappropriate packaging, leading to the death of the animals during transit.

Royal Mail, which is often used to ship live animals, including insects and invertebrates, explicitly states that they do not accept fish or fish fry for delivery. This raises concerns about the welfare of fish being transported through postal services, as highlighted by Tara’s experience with the cardinal tetra fish she purchased.

In response to the controversy, an eBay spokesperson stated that they prohibit the sale of most live animals but allow aquarium or pond fish under 5cm in length to be listed, provided safe overnight delivery can be guaranteed. The seller in question defended their actions, claiming to adhere to eBay’s policies and blaming negative reviews on competitors.

Overall, the incident involving the shipment of fish in ‚fizzy drink‘ bottles has sparked outrage among animal lovers and advocates for better animal welfare standards. It serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for platforms like eBay to ensure the well-being of animals sold through their platform.