Written question asked by Gordon Marsden (Labour) on Thursday, 1 November 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 November 2018 (named day). It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 November 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Animals: Licensing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidelines he and his officials have given to local authorities as to the nature and reasonable costs of inspection and licence renewal for shops and businesses holding or selling reptiles and related species under the provisions of the new animal activities licence.

Answer: Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) local authorities are able to charge a full cost recovery fee to the applicant. Guidance has been provided to local authorities about the enforcement of the Regulations and this includes a section on fee setting. The guidance includes what the fee can include and also refers to more comprehensive guidance on fees which the Local Government Association published in June 2017. Under the Regulations, any business achieving higher welfare standards will be entitled to a longer licence with fewer inspections at lower cost.

Secondary information