DEFRA publishes standards of modern zoo practice

DEFRA has published standards that sets out the minimum standards that zoos are expected to meet.

The standards cover:

• animal welfare
• public safety
• conservation
• education

Standards of modern zoo practice 2012

The 2012 Secretary of State’s standards of modern zoo practice will remain in effect until 23 May 2027. These standards cover England and Scotland.

Standards of modern zoo practice 2027

The new standards of modern zoo practice 2027 will come into effect from 24 May 2027 and will cover Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

The new standards also include requirements with longer transition times. These are:

• new requirements for tethering birds of prey – these will come into effect on 1 January 2030 (read Appendix A6: birds of prey)
• the use of the free contact management, the ankus and electric goads for elephants must be phased out by 1 January 2030 (read Appendix A8: elephants)
• new requirements for enclosure sizes for elephants will come into effect on 1 January 2040 (read Appendix A8: elephants)

Zoo inspectors will refer to these standards when they carry out inspections.