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.
Born Free "Zoo check" h) Born Free Zoo Check latest list Update on latest statistics. What are these clowns doing on a Zoo Forum ? I had to ask them numerous times to remove a reference to Auckland Zoos dolphins --- Auckland Zoo has NEVER housed dolphins , and have never even considered it . It took several strongly worded emails before they started to get the hint . They refer to other zoos in wrong states , zoos that dont exist etc I am NOT convinced that they are REALLY interested in animal welfare at all They do not paint an accurate picture of zoos -- both good points vs bad points . They seem to be hell bent to close down UK Zoos , and yet ignore zoos in places like China , which are more like the prisons which they portray .... What qualifications do they have to make them bona fide Zoo Checkers ? Sour grapes and inaccurate facts do not make a good CV
Well said. I Mean what are these peoples problem. They should concentarte on zoos in Asia and Eastern Europe instead of the UK which has brilliatn zoos
Fortunately, there are no longer any members of Zoo Check or other extremist animal rights groups on the Zoos Forum. There is a current list of members here: Defra, UK - Wildlife and Countryside - The Zoos Forum The item referring to the Zoo Check list on the agenda will be a brief discussion on a report that has been submitted to the Forum by Born Free. A token gesture has to be made to keep the antis quiet.