§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which organisations or authorities inspect farm attractions that are open to the public; and [HL2170]
What assessment they have made regarding the impact on the operation of farm attractions of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Standards of Modern Zoo Practice published in March; and [HL2169]
What representations they have received regarding the impact on the operation of farm attractions of the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions' Standards of Modern Zoo Practice published in March; and [HL2168]
What plans they have to exempt farm attractions from the requirements laid down in the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice published in March and to introduce standards of practice appropriate to farm attractions. [HL2194]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)Farm attractions open to the public are inspected under the provisions of several pieces of legislation, including those concerned with the health, safety and wellbeing of the visiting public, staff and animals. Organisations carrying out inspections include the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and its agencies, the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities.
Revised Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice came into effect on 3 April 2000. It is too early to assess their impact.
In response to a Parliamentary Questions from Christopher Gill MP on 18 April (WA 452) my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State replied that there were no plans to exempt farm attractions from the provisions of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.