Last month in Brussels MEPs voted for a new Euro-law to protect animals in zoos. The move would oblige the owners of substandard zoos to improve animal welfare conditions and bring the zoos up to scratch. It would cover existing as well as new establishments, including zoological collections, animal and safari parks, bird gardens, dolphinariums and aquariums.
Speaking in favour of improved standards in zoos, Ian White (UK, PES) argued that of the 1,000 plus zoos in the EU, more than half might not reach acceptable animal welfare standards. Acute suffering resulted from cramped conditions, lack of privacy, unsafe enclosures, lack of sick care, poor diet and isolation. The vote brought MEPs into disagreement with the Commission, which only wanted a recommendation on the issue, which would not be legislatively binding on member states.
