Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 February 2021, Official Report, column 134, which aspects of the Zoo Animals Fund are currently under active review; and what changes to the support available for zoos and aquariums are being considered.

I am aware of the pressure that the current coronavirus restrictions are placing on zoos and recognise this has been an extremely tough time for the sector. I would like to assure zoos that we remain committed to ensuring the sector can deliver the best possible care for its animals and we are currently considering options. We keep all aspects of the Zoo Animals Fund constantly under review to ensure that it is meeting its aims. Changes that we have made include extending the criteria to include maintenance costs, easing the evidence requirement for these maintenance claims, introducing the ability to apply ahead of reaching 12 weeks reserves and most recently extending the application deadline for the Zoo Animals Fund to 26 February 2021. We have ongoing communications with the sector to ensure updated information is shared as soon as situations change. For now, we urge any zoos in need of support to put in an application.