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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures her Department has in place to monitor the welfare of meerkats imported into the UK.

Meerkats imported into the UK are covered by EU legislation that requires them to come from an approved premises which has met health and welfare standards. They also undergo a clinical examination ahead of the movement and are required to travel with a signed health certificate assuring this examination has taken place and that the movement complies with Regulation 1/2005/EC on the Welfare of Animals in Transport. As carnivores, they may be required to enter rabies quarantine for four months at an approved quarantine facility. For imports from third countries, animals directly entering the UK must do so through a Border Inspection Post where official veterinarians will check for welfare issues and ensure the animals have the correct certification.

Once in this country, meerkats are subject to the same protection as other captive animals. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal. It is also an offence, under the 2006 Act, to fail to provide for the welfare needs of an animal. There is additional protection for animals, including meerkats, held in establishments licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. Such establishments are licensed by local authorities and subject to inspection. If anyone has any concerns about the welfare of a meerkat they should report the matter to the relevant local authority which has powers to investigate such complaints, or to the RSPCA which will also investigate.