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<p>Defra has already made the Zoo Animals Fund more accessible than the previous fund,
the Zoo Support Fund. We have expanded the eligibility criteria so that grant payments
to zoos begin when zoos reach their final 12 weeks of financial reserves, rather than
6 weeks. We also lifted the payment cap from £100k to £700k and then removed this
cap at the end of the implementation period when we were no longer subject to EU state
aid rules.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has also expanded the range of costs that are eligible
under the Zoo Animals Fund so zoos can now claim costs relating to pre-planned essential
maintenance and repair works as well as animal care costs. The fund has also been
extended in response to the current lockdown, with applications open until 28 May
and support provided until 30 June.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to monitor the
fund to ensure that it achieves its aims. We will continue to engage with the sector
to fully understand the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the sector and provide updates
as situations change.</p>
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