annebaines
Member
I was wandering what it would take legally and information in regards as to what you need to open a farm park you know with all the normal farm animals maybe wallabies, aviary birds ,tea room etc
Farm parks in uk
- Thread starter annebaines
- Start date
If you had wallabies and other exotics you would need a zoo license. I get the impression that local authorities are getting rather 'hot' on animal collections within their jurisdiction as regards such things.
Yes, that is what happened in County Durham with the Tweddle Animal Farm, they started off with domestic stock and progressed to exotic species while still trading on a pet shop license. Eventually, after complaints from C.A.P.S. the council insisted they have a zoo license, they couldn't afford to make the necessary improvements so disposed of the zoo animals and reverted back to domestic species only.
Indeed. There is also the story about the "tortoise sanctuary" which now has to get a zoo license. Personally, I think it a good thing as it ensure some form of basic standards in animal care.
Up untill around 5 yrs ago i was Animal manager at a Farm Park in Surrey very close to Chessington,We had Rhea,Alpaca,Llama and a few basic, reptiles,and started to get hassel from local council, who had been imformed of wat we had by the Born Free Foundation,as the Rhea, Alpaca and Llama are now farmed in this country, the council where happy for us to continue having them on show as an educational exhibit for the visiting school parties,
annebaines
Member
How come if you keep say wallabies and Rheas privately you dont need any licence but you do for a farm park?
Pootle
Well-Known Member
Ask the lady who runs 'The Tortoise Garden' near St. Austell Cornwall, she will be able to help you with this one.
We bought our 'Fred' (a Mediterranean Spur Thigh) from their about 6 years ago and we went back to pop in on her to say hello and that Fred was doing well etc, on our visit to Cornwall 2 years ago and the place was shut with a sign saying something along the lines of "Due to rules & regulations we cannot open to the public without a zoo licence".
So, if they are open now, they must all sorted something one way or another and have the answers you need, hope that helps a little.
monkeymike
Member
The way I understand it is if you are a truly private collection, i.e. not open to the public then you don't need a licence, but if you are open to paying visitors then you do.
RowanGreen
Well-Known Member
I think there are two kinds of license, both of which you may need, depending on the animals kept. One is a dangerous wild animals license. I'm not sure if that would apply for the animals you mention. The other is a zoo license, which licenses you to open to the public basically.
The reason you will need a licence is because you are admitting fare paying customer,s to the farm park,if you only keep domestic animals, you only need a yearly visit from from State Vet service, also depend on your local council as they differ in there requirements. Your best bet would to visit a local farm park to where you live and ask the owner or manager, how the local council work in your area.
DWA doesn't apply to wallabies.
If you have a Zoo Licence you do not need a Dangerous Wild Animal License (DWAA). The DWAA is basically for private wild animal keepers who do not display their animals to the public.
DEFRA page HERE
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The problem with the Zoo License and local councils is that there is sometimes no continuity in the way the legislation is view from council to council. So we get a situation of a tortoise 'sanctuary' having to have a license from one council but maybe another council taking the view they do not need a license. I understand that is likely to change. See HERE
A 'zoo' is defined by the Act as such:
A “zoo” means an establishment where *wild animals are kept for exhibition to the public otherwise than for purposes of a circus and otherwise than in a pet shop and this Act applies to any zoo to which members of the public have access, with or without charge for admission, on more than seven days in any period of 12 consecutive months.
*wild animals means animals not normally domesticated in Great Britain.
The full Act can be found HERE
mrchowmungry
New Member
As mentioned above any farm park that wishes to exhibit non native species or wild UK species to the public must be zoo licensed. If your local council were to follow this to the letter it would include guinea pigs, however they usually turn a blind eye if that is the only non native you have. The regulations are quite lengthy, do read the secretary of state documents on this and follow them through, documenting everything, from you escape procedure to the ethical review committee. And the inspection can be expensive and very stringent, you are not guaranteed to pass, and be granted a zoo licence. And even if you do a number of conditions are likely to be placed on you, which you will have to meet in certain time frames. However these inspections should be looked on in a very positive manner, as farm parks without zoo licensing (and if you are licensed it will cover your "farm animals" to some degree.) are to all intents and purposes completely un regulated. And to have an independent vets inspector come in and pull your business apart (trust me they do) might sound scary but in reality is a great thing, as this is often one of the best ways to move your business forward. Zoo licensing is there to ensure that you are striving for best practice and that animal welfare is at the forefront of the visitor attraction. Unlicensed farm parks may choose to adhere to these standards but they cannot be enforced, unless they have animals that fall into the above categories. Zoo licensed Farm Park that do not adhere to the regulations, can be closed until matters are resolved. Before establishing any collection speak with your local Environmental Health officer and trading standards, and discuss your intentions, they are there to help, not hinder. Regarding cafe, and general health and safety again talk to you EHO and HSE, best to start on the right foot, or things can go badly wrong, as mentioned in other posts above.