INSIDE OUT

In early October 2009 Mark filmed an item about the forthcoming changes to the UK's Dangerous Wild Animals Act for BBC East Midlands' Inside Out. The title was Dangerous Pets and it centred on private people obtaining and keeping venomous snakes and the laws intended to control what was kept, and how.

Mark interviewed experienced venomous snake aficionardo Luke Yeomans in Nottinghamshire and travelled with the film crew to Houten in Holland to visit the Snake Day, hosted each year by the European Snake Society.

The Snake Day show includes a 'hot room' where venomous snakes are legally bought and sold and this is where many prospective British keepers obtain their specimens. It is perfectly legal for someone to purchase a venomous snake and take it back to the UK but upon arrival they have 48hours to obtain a DWAA licence. Some don't.

The film also demonstrated how easy it was for a complete novice (the BBC director) to purchase a dangerously venomous snake in Europe. Several British keepers were interviewed during the filming in Holland and they presented a variety of viewpoints on the purchase of venomous snakes by British reptile enthusiasts.

Back in the UK Mark also interviewed animal law expert Dr Jim Collins about the loopholes and problems within the DWAA.

The episode was first transmitted on Monday 30 November 2009.

Filming in Amsterdam	and at Snake Day in Houten.

Mark's agent is David Foster Management