The Zoos Forum - Code of Openness
Opening statement
Public bodies are encouraged to develop a code openness and publish it on their website. This is the code for the Zoos Forum. It provides a brief overview of the Forum's activities, the information it provides and explains how to gain access to it.
Zoos Forum - openness and transparency policy
The Zoos Forum is an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body which reports to Defra Ministers. The Forum was established in 1999 as part of proposals to advise government on regulation of zoos.
The Forum's Terms of Reference are:
- to encourage the role of zoos in conservation, education and scientific research; to keep under review the operation and implementation of the zoo licensing system in the UK and to advise or make recommendations to Ministers of any legislative or other changes that may be necessary.
The Forum was established administratively and does not have a statutory basis. Its function is entirely advisory. It comprises a panel of appointed experts which usually meets three times each year. The Forum's Secretariat is provided by Defra, so the Forum has no staff or standing body between meetings.
The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 are likely to apply in respect of the majority of information considered at Zoos Forum meetings. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is also likely to be applicable in some circumstances and possibly the Data Protection Act 1998 on occasion.
The Forum holds one public meeting each year, usually in January/February. This is advertised on the Forum's web pages and often in a suitable publication, such as BBC Wildlife magazine.
The Forum's web pages provide details of the Forum's membership, its terms of reference and code of conduct, and its guidance publications. The following documents are also routinely published on the Forum's web pages:
- Annual Reports
- Work plan
- Meeting agendas
- Meeting minutes
- Publication Scheme
- Code of Openness
Where Zoos Forum information can be found
The Zoos Forum routinely web publishes information on Defra's web pages. This can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/zoosforum/index.htm.
Alternatively, you may contact the Secretariat by post, email, fax or phone (details below) to request information.
What information will not be available
The majority of Zoos Forum information is routinely published on Defra's website. There may be limited circumstances where information is not made available such as draft documents which are still in the process of development or personal data may subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. The Forum does not generally handle sensitive information (such as that relating to law enforcement, commercial confidentiality etc) so at present, it is not envisaged that further information would need to be withheld. Any future decision to do so would need to be in line with the requirements of the relevant access to information legislation.
Standards of service, accuracy of information and what can be done if information is refused
Defra provides the Zoos Forum Secretariat and would therefore handle information requests on the Forum's behalf. Defra's own standards and access to information arrangements therefore apply.
Information on Defra's access to information policies, including complaints, can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/opengov/accessinfo.htm.
Organisation contact details
The Zoos Forum Secretariat is co-ordinated within the Global Wildlife Division of Defra:
Defra - Zoos and International Species Conservation Branch
Global Wildlife Division
Defra
Zone 1/16, Temple Quay House
2, The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
Tel: 0117 372 8686
Fax: 0117 372 8373
Email: zoos.branch@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Correspondence to the Forum should be clearly marked as for the Forum's attention.
Page published: 7 July 2005