Written question asked by Neil Hudson (Conservative) on Friday, 18 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2025 (named day). It was answered by Daniel Zeichner (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Animals: Zoos

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether zoo animals being transferred between the UK and EU countries will be covered by the new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement.

Answer: Our priority is to secure a long-term UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers to enable the safe and efficient movement of goods, including zoo animals. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. With the principles and framework of a deal agreed, we will now negotiate the detail of an agreement that reduces administrative burden by streamlining SPS checks and certification, while upholding the UK’s commitment to ensure its biosecurity is protected within this future framework.

Secondary information