Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September to Question 73453 on Tourist Attractions: Animals, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of existing regulatory frameworks governing travel companies that market or sell tickets to animal-based tourist attractions.

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 may apply. Goods or services sold in the UK must adhere to consumer regulations, like the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Defra is engaging with tourism industry and animal welfare groups on the delivery of the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 and will set out next steps.

Reputable tour operators should not offer activities that support poor animal welfare. The Association of British Travel Agents, a government approved body, has published guidelines and a list of activities which they classify as unacceptable.