Cattle: Zoos and animals for historical and cultural purposes
Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 establishes a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals, this regulation is enforced in Great Britain by various domestic provisions.
The Cattle Identifcation Regulations 2007 enforce 1760/2000 with regard to the identification and tracing of bovine animals1 ; the regulations define “cattle” as bovine animals, including bison and buffalo. Council Directive 64/432 EEC defines ‘bovine animals’ as all bovine animals with the exception of animals taking part in cultural or sporting events.
A Yak has been defined as a long haired domestic bovine, and is therefore covered by the Cattle Identification Regulations. The BCMS handbook has a list of cattle breeds which may prove useful.
Zoos are governed by the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. Regulations to amend the Act came into effect on 8 January 2003. They give statutory effect in England to the provisions of European Council Directive 1999/22/EC not already implemented by the 1981 Act. The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 has been amended by:
- The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (Amendment)(England and Wales) Regulations 2002;
- The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (Amendment)(Scotland) Regulations 2003 No 174;
- The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (Amendment)(Wales) Regulations 2003 No 992.
A zoo is defined in the Zoo Licensing Act as being 'an establishment where wild animals are kept for exhibition to which members of the public have access, with or without charge for admission, on seven or more days in any period of twelve consecutive months'.
Defra’s advice has been that bovines kept in zoos that are not being used for agricultural purposes or production of meat or milk are not covered by the cattle identification regulations (i.e. for tagging and passport requirements). Therefore cattle moving between Zoo's do not need to be identified under the Cattle Identification Regulations. If the animal is moved from a zoo to an agricultural holding or another premise where there is a chance that it may enter the food chain, it should be identified in accordance with the Cattle Identifcation Regulations.
Zoos are governed by the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (as amended), and therefore do not need to register as keepers of animals for cultural and historical purposes. Bovine animals kept on agricultural holdings for cultural and historical purposes are governed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 644/2005.
1 Each country publish their own Regulations.
Page last modified:
30 November, 2007
Page published: 12 February, 2007