Amendment of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981

15.  After section 11 insert–

Special inspections of closed zoos

11A.(1) The local authority may at any time carry out a special inspection of a zoo, or a section of a zoo to which 16E applies–

(a)if they consider it appropriate to do so having regard to their functions under section 16E(4) of supervising the implementation of a plan prepared under section 16E(2);

(b)if they consider it appropriate to do so having regard to their function under section 16E(6); or

(c)if they consider it appropriate to do so in order to determine whether to exercise their function under section 16E(7) or (8).

(2) Section 10(4)(c) and section 11(2), (3) and (4) apply to an inspection under this section as they apply to an inspection under those sections.

(3) The inspectors may require the production of all records of the zoo’s collection kept by the operator of the zoo, and the operator shall produce the records.

(4) The inspectors shall send their report to the authority, and except where, after reasonable enquiries have been made, the operator of the zoo cannot be found, the authority shall send a copy to the operator forthwith and give him an opportunity to comment on it..