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<p> </p><p>The Zoo Licensing Act 1981, which sets out comprehensive licensing and
inspection requirements for zoos, implements the EC Zoos Directive in Great Britain.
Responsibility for administering these requirements rests with local authorities,
which have powers to check compliance with zoo licences, to impose conditions and
to take action. Ultimately this could mean closing part, or all, of a zoo if the requirements
of the legislation are not met. This in turn ensures our compliance with the Directive.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In response to concerns about how local authorities were carrying
out this role, Defra commissioned research into local authority implementation of
the Act. The 2011 report, which looked at the period 2008-2010, found no serious problems
and indeed there was evidence of significant improvements in a number of areas during
this time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The report made suggestions for further improvements,
such as updating guidance and zoo inspection report forms. These, together with the
majority of the suggestions, have been actioned and we continue to work to make further
improvements.</p><p> </p>
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