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DEFRA Consultation: Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain Published Date: 06/03/2022

DEFRA are consulting on the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain (‘the Standards’). The Standards will replace the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (2012) in England and Scotland, and the National Assembly of Wales’ Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (2006) in Wales. Because zoo licensing is a devolved matter, this is a joint consultation on behalf of the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government.

The Standards have been drafted for zoo licence holders, zoo operators and zoo staff; zoo inspectors; and Local Authorities. They contain specialist, technical requirements for different species and zoo types, based on expert advice provided by the UK Zoos Expert Committee and a wide range of industry experts.

The consultation sets out DEFRA’s  proposals and asks for views on them. The consultation also asks for views on the practicalities, impacts and potential costs of the new requirements.

DEFRA’s response survey comprises 24 pages and 75 questions; however, you will be skipped through certain pages/questions depending on your responses. There is space at the end of the survey for you to voice anything extra that you would like to tell us. 

The consultation is aimed at relevant individuals and organisations in Great Britain, including all licensed zoos; zoo inspectors; Local Authorities; those welfare groups with an interest and expertise in zoos; and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).

The Consultation will close on 24 May 2022

View the consultation

The IoL Response

The IoL will be responding to the consultation and will survey members to inform the response.