To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy on the £100 million Zoo Animals Fund of (a) the fund expiry date of 29 January 2021, (b) the absence of a replacement and (c) 95 per cent of the fund having been unspent.
Answered on
11 January 2021
The Zoo Animal Fund remains open for applications until 29 January 2021 and provides support up until the end of March 2021. We are considering whether an extension to this application deadline may be possible. The Zoo Animals Fund is an envelope of available funds to provide for zoos who, due to a coronavirus-related drop in income are experiencing severe financial difficulties and need support in caring for their animals between now and the start of the next peak visitor season, which is normally around Easter time. If zoos are downsizing or rehoming their collection the fund can also provide support for this to ensure the animals’ welfare.