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Title:
Zoo Licensing Implementation

Reference ID:
12LZ

Department Responsible:
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs

Problem Description:
Currently Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing the Zoo Licensing legislation. My research has proved that this responsibility is not being properly administered. This appears to be due to lack of knowledge of the legislation, lack of resources and reliance on the Zoo Inspectors, who although they inspect the zoos have no responsibity for enforcement - and are usually from other zoos that are equally non-complaint.

I am happy to provide evidence

I have taken several cases as far as the LA Ombudsman but as I have no personal injury the Ombudsman cannot take the case.

I have contacted DEFRA and the Zoos Forum who say that this is the sole responsibility of the LAs

Proposed solution:
The simple answer would be for DEFRA to employ full time zoo inspectors, responsible for the enforcement of the Act. The inspectors would, as now, be paid for by the zoos, but would be answerable for their decisions. Thus instead of officers from every licensing Authority having to learn all the legislation, carry out informal inspections, enforce conditions, arrange formal inspections with DEFRA Inspectors and issue licenses this would all be done in a far more streamlined and effective way

Cost or time incurred:
Thus instead of officers from every licensing Authority having to learn all the legislation, carry out informal inspections, enforce conditions, arrange formal inspections with DEFRA Inspectors and issue licenses this would all be done in a far more streamlined and effective way.
LAs would save a great deal of officer time and therefore money
The legislation would be more fairly enforced

Department:
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs

Sector(s):
Citizen

Category(s):
Multiple

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Official response

Thank you for your proposal on Zoo Licensing Implementation.

I understand that Defra and Animal Health has corresponded with you on Zoo Licensing issues many times over the last three years. Partly in response to your concerns, new measures have been introduced to improve the implementation of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

These measures are proportionate and need time to bed in before we can assess their effectiveness. We can then consider whether any other action is required.

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