§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to support the EU zoo directive; and if he will make a statement. [13683]
§ Angela EagleThe Government supports efforts to improve zoo standards throughout the Community, which are long overdue. We believe that a directive would be the most effective way to achieve this. In deciding whether to pursue a directive in the Environment Council, we will need to consider whether it would attract sufficient support from other member states to secure its early adoption. We are discussing this with other member states as part of the groundwork for the forthcoming UK Presidency. If a directive is unattainable, the main alternative is to finalise a Council recommendation on zoos, which would be a significant step forward.