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<p>Zoos in England are regulated by the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and the Secretary of
State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (2012). Licences are awarded for up to four
or six years and at least two inspections per licence have to use qualified zoo inspectors
appointed by Defra. Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing conditions in
zoos, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is responsible for nominating
Defra inspectors for formal inspections. Defra is working with the UK Zoos Expert
Committee to ensure the standards are clear and enforceable whilst representing the
latest knowledge on the keeping of wild animals. We intend to launch a targeted consultation
on the standards later this year.</p><p> </p><p>The keeping of dangerous wild animals
as pets is regulated by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. The Act requires owners
of dangerous wild animals to be licensed by their local authority. The aim of the
Act is to ensure that where private individuals keep dangerous wild animals, they
do so in circumstances that create no risk to the public. We are looking closely at
the wider animal welfare law to see whether it needs to be improved in relation to
the welfare of exotic, non-domesticated animals. We have a manifesto commitment to
start this process by banning the keeping of primates as pets and we consulted on
this earlier this year.</p><p> </p><p>It may also be helpful if I set out the laws
already in place that provide for the protection of the welfare of exotic, non-domesticated
animals in England. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, animal owners and keepers are
under a legal duty of care for the animals for which they are responsible on a permanent
or temporary basis. A person could therefore be responsible for an animal if they
own it or are in charge of it. Responsibility for an animal includes having an understanding
of the specific welfare needs, including health, of the animal and having the appropriate
knowledge and skills to care for the animal. Local authorities, the APHA and the police
all have powers of entry to investigate complaints of suspected animal cruelty or
neglect and undertake prosecutions where necessary.</p><p> </p><p>Anyone who is cruel
to an animal, or does not provide properly for its welfare needs, faces an unlimited
fine or being sent to prison for up six months, or both. Following a conviction for
either of these offences, the court may also ban the offender from keeping any animals
or certain types or animals and/or order that their animals are removed from them.
The Government fully supports increasing the maximum custodial penalty for animal
cruelty offences (including causing unnecessary suffering to an animal) from six months
to five years through the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill which is currently before
Parliament.</p><p> </p><p>Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving
Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, anyone who is in the business of selling animals
as pets (including non-domestic species) needs a valid licence from their local authority.
Licencees must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced
by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse or revoke licences.</p>
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