Keeping of animals in zoo: minimum standards

The rapporteur insisted that zoos should recreate the natural biotope and provide a high level of environmental protection for the animals in their care. Parliament was opposed to zoos selling or transferring animals, even temporarily, to individuals or circuses or for experimental purposes. If a zoo closed down, the competent authority would have to ensure that the animals were sold or transferred to another licensed zoo or that they were humanely destroyed. Finally, the rapporteur called for the inclusion of a provision stipulating that at least one of the two experts responsible for carrying out inspections must be a veterinary surgeon. �