Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 28 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 November 2005. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Monday, 5 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Animal Exhibitions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1830W, on animal exhibitions, how many applications were (a) applied for, (b) granted and (c) refused in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Answer: Exemptions from the provisions of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (as amended), and hence from Directive 1999/22/EC, may be granted under section 14(1)(a) of the 1981 Act. Figures on applications to the Department for such exemptions are provided below for the most recent 12 month period for which they are available (1 November 2004 to 31 October 2005).In answer to point (a), nine applications for exemptions under section 14(1)(a) of the 1981 Act have been determined. A further eight such applications have been received and are in the process of being determined.In answer to point (b), five exemptions were granted.In answer to point (c), four applications for exemptions were refused. Of these, the Department has recommended that three are suitable for a section 14(2) dispensation and one is suitable for a section 14(1)(b) dispensation. These dispensation provisions retain the requirement for the establishment concerned to be licensed under the 1981 Act but provide for reduced regulatory requirements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 33752; 440 c919-20W;440 c919-20W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Animal Exhibitions
Tuesday, 22 November 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Applications Licensing EU law Exemptions Zoos
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk