UK Kept Animals Bill dropped by Government

UK Government has today announced Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill will no longer be brought forward. This Bill included the largest legislative changes for zoo since the 1980s and BIAZA has expressed its profound disappointment that the Bill will not be taken forward.

BIAZA urges Government to issue urgent clarity to the zoo sector about the impacts dropping this Bill will have on zoo licensing and the ban on primates as pets.

BIAZA looks forward to working with Ministers and officials to ensure that the measures within the Bill are delivered through other means.

Sarah Champion MP, Chair of the APPG for Zoos and Aquariums said: “I am deeply disappointed the Kept Animals Bill is being dropped by Government. It contained measures that would have driven more workable standards that raise the bar on conservation, education and research in zoos. I hope the Minister will meet the sector soon to explain how they will progress the plans for zoos and aquariums.”

What happens next?

• BIAZA will seek out urgent clarity on Government plans on behalf of its members
• Government has committed to taking forward individual parts of the Bill e.g. banning primates as pets through secondary legislation.
• Government has signaled they will continue to work on zoo standards and hopes to publish them by the end of the year.