Defra has commissioned ADAS to conduct a review of the implementation of the Act by local authorities in England and Wales. Read the full summary statement.
Responsibility for administering the licensing and inspection of zoos under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 rests with local authorities. Concerns have been expressed that implementation is inconsistent and that the provisions of the Act may not always be complied with. Defra has commissioned ADAS to conduct a review of the implementation of the Act by local authorities in England and Wales. ADAS will work closely with BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), building on their successful collaboration in the recent project to review the conservation and education contribution made by zoos.
The aim of this project is to assess local authority implementation of the Act and:
- provide an analysis of how local authorities have performed in implementing the Act;
- identify and record local authority good practices and procedures in the
licensing and inspection of zoos; - where any difficulties have been found, make recommendations for administrative (non-legislative) measures that would assist local authorities in implementing the Act; and
- consider any identified problems or inadequacies within the legislation and comment on the possible need for legislative changes to assist local authorities, including for simplification of the zoo licensing system.
The approach for this project is staged:
- a review of available information will provide early identification of key issues. The outcomes of this review will inform the development of a quantitative survey of local authorities in England and Wales;
- a postal survey of all local authorities believed to have zoos in their areas will be conducted. The permission of all participants will be sought for follow-up research activities and a sub-sample of local authorities will be selected for more detailed case studies;
- a postal survey of exempt zoos will be conducted; and
- the survey work with local authorities will be supplemented by depth interviews with representatives of the Secretary of State’s Zoo Inspectors.
The project will produce a report for publication on the Defra website.
The market research conducted during the course of this project will be in accordance with the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct and, as such, data from individual local authorities and zoos will be anonymous and the identity of respondents will be kept confidential. During the survey, however, consent for further contact and use of information will be sought from individual respondents. Where consent is given, case studies will be developed to illustrate best practice in the administration of the Act.
ADAS and BIAZA have a proven track-record of collaborative working. ADAS (http://www.adas.co.uk/) is the UK’s largest independent provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice. ADAS has delivered research and consultancy services to Government and corporate organisations on a commercial basis for more than 35 years. Almost all significant zoos and aquariums are members of BIAZA (http://www.biaza.org.uk/), the only professional organisation representing the zoo and aquarium community in Britain and Ireland. BIAZA works closely with Government, the Zoos Forum and local authorities.
For further information about this project please contact the ADAS Project Manager, Karen Wheeler on 01432 821021 or email karen.wheeler@adas.co.uk, for assistance.