The Zoos Forum open meeting is being held next Tuesday (26th February) at the DEFRA offices in Bristol. Are any members attending or has anyone attended in the past?
The ZF, of course, is the government's advisory body on captive wildlife in the UK.
If anyone is interested (and I believe there are still spaces available for the day), the Zoos Forum Meeting Agenda for 26 February 2008 open meeting:
1. Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of last meeting
4. Matters arising
a) appointments to the Forum
Defra are looking to appoint four new members to the ZF to replace 4 members whose terms expire at the end of March 2008.
b) update on Animal Welfare Act 2006
(i) Banning certain wild animals from travelling circuses.
(ii) Inspections of circuses and the use of zoo inspectors.
c) Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
Latest update on amendments to the Act.
d) Elephant Husbandry research project
Update on progress in issuing the final report.
e) Update on Zoo Inspector management measures
f) Update on CITES Article 8.2 proposals
This relates to the proposal to prohibit the private keeping of certain CITES species.
g) Link up between CITES A60 inspections and zoo inspections
This relates to the potential overlap between CITES Article 60 inspections and zoo inspections with regard to CITES Annex A species kept in zoos.
h) Born Free Zoo Check latest list
Update on latest statistics.
i) Zoo closure direction model
Members of the ZF and Defra drafted a model zoo closure direction to assist LAs in implementing the Act when faced with the possible closure of a zoo.
j) Freedom of Information requirements for Zoo Inspectors
Update on the provision of FOIA guidance for inspectors.
k) Review of Zoos’ Conservation and Education Contribution – Research Project
Update on the financial bid for this project.
l) Impact of Blue Tongue on susceptible species through Europe
Latest update from Defra’s animal health colleagues.
5. Zoo Licensing Act definition issues
This item relates to a paper drawn up by the Forum to assist zoo stakeholders on the interpretation of the definition of ‘kept for exhibition to the public’.
6. Development of the Handbook chapters
a) Veterinary practices chapter
Update on the publication of the new chapter to the ZF handbook about veterinary practices.
7. Zoo Licensing Training Seminar
a) Follow up work from the previous seminar
(i) Assessment of the educational content/value of shows and presentations in zoos – draft paper.
b) Dates for the next zoo training seminar
8. Parliamentary Questions
Information about any parliamentary questions received by Defra since the last meeting.
9. England Implementation Group (EIG)
The EIG is an independent advisory group appointed by the Government to drive forward delivery, in England, of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain. This item relates to the monitoring of EIG meeting minutes for any zoo related issues.
10. Guidance on the keeping of Cetaceans in UK
Progress on the new draft guidance.
11. Zoos Manifesto
Update on progress of the discussion paper relating to the manifesto which seeks to secure funding for zoos through tax breaks.
12. Amendments required to the pre-inspection audit report forms
Update on form amendments.
13. Liaison Group of the Animal Welfare Advisory Bodies
Report of the group’s meeting held on 18 October 2007.
14. Changes within Defra and zoos branch
15. Delivery of the zoo licensing system
a) is the review of the status of section 14(2) dispensations adequate?
b) should inspectors be specifically asked for an opinion on whether a current dispensation status is still applicable?
16. Strategic work plan
This is the Forum’s programme of work.
17. Research Topics
18. Dates for future meetings
19. AOB
i) New Code of Practice on Scientific Advisory Committees.
The ZF, of course, is the government's advisory body on captive wildlife in the UK.
If anyone is interested (and I believe there are still spaces available for the day), the Zoos Forum Meeting Agenda for 26 February 2008 open meeting:
1. Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of last meeting
4. Matters arising
a) appointments to the Forum
Defra are looking to appoint four new members to the ZF to replace 4 members whose terms expire at the end of March 2008.
b) update on Animal Welfare Act 2006
(i) Banning certain wild animals from travelling circuses.
(ii) Inspections of circuses and the use of zoo inspectors.
c) Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
Latest update on amendments to the Act.
d) Elephant Husbandry research project
Update on progress in issuing the final report.
e) Update on Zoo Inspector management measures
f) Update on CITES Article 8.2 proposals
This relates to the proposal to prohibit the private keeping of certain CITES species.
g) Link up between CITES A60 inspections and zoo inspections
This relates to the potential overlap between CITES Article 60 inspections and zoo inspections with regard to CITES Annex A species kept in zoos.
h) Born Free Zoo Check latest list
Update on latest statistics.
i) Zoo closure direction model
Members of the ZF and Defra drafted a model zoo closure direction to assist LAs in implementing the Act when faced with the possible closure of a zoo.
j) Freedom of Information requirements for Zoo Inspectors
Update on the provision of FOIA guidance for inspectors.
k) Review of Zoos’ Conservation and Education Contribution – Research Project
Update on the financial bid for this project.
l) Impact of Blue Tongue on susceptible species through Europe
Latest update from Defra’s animal health colleagues.
5. Zoo Licensing Act definition issues
This item relates to a paper drawn up by the Forum to assist zoo stakeholders on the interpretation of the definition of ‘kept for exhibition to the public’.
6. Development of the Handbook chapters
a) Veterinary practices chapter
Update on the publication of the new chapter to the ZF handbook about veterinary practices.
7. Zoo Licensing Training Seminar
a) Follow up work from the previous seminar
(i) Assessment of the educational content/value of shows and presentations in zoos – draft paper.
b) Dates for the next zoo training seminar
8. Parliamentary Questions
Information about any parliamentary questions received by Defra since the last meeting.
9. England Implementation Group (EIG)
The EIG is an independent advisory group appointed by the Government to drive forward delivery, in England, of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain. This item relates to the monitoring of EIG meeting minutes for any zoo related issues.
10. Guidance on the keeping of Cetaceans in UK
Progress on the new draft guidance.
11. Zoos Manifesto
Update on progress of the discussion paper relating to the manifesto which seeks to secure funding for zoos through tax breaks.
12. Amendments required to the pre-inspection audit report forms
Update on form amendments.
13. Liaison Group of the Animal Welfare Advisory Bodies
Report of the group’s meeting held on 18 October 2007.
14. Changes within Defra and zoos branch
15. Delivery of the zoo licensing system
a) is the review of the status of section 14(2) dispensations adequate?
b) should inspectors be specifically asked for an opinion on whether a current dispensation status is still applicable?
16. Strategic work plan
This is the Forum’s programme of work.
17. Research Topics
18. Dates for future meetings
19. AOB
i) New Code of Practice on Scientific Advisory Committees.