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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and (b) consultation he undertook with (i) zoos, (ii) safari parks, (ii) aquariums and (iv) farm visitor attractions before the decision was made to legally close such visitor attractions due to the covid-19 outbreak on 1 June 2020.

The Secretary of State holds discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. Officials meet weekly with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums to provide updates on the reopening position, including meeting them on 31 May, along with representatives of the larger charitable zoos, to discuss the Government’s decision to add zoos, safari parks and aquariums to Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, which came into force on 1 June.