Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Zoos

Thursday 26 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK government has established an additional 100 million support fund for businesses, including zoos, facing severe financial difficulty due to the covid-19 outbreak.
  • The criteria for accessing the zoos animal fund have been adjusted to allow zoos with up to 12 weeks of reserves to apply for support.
  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials would meet to discuss further action on the reintroduction of species such as the white-tailed eagle.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Jenkinson
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the challenges faced by zoos due to financial difficulties caused by the pandemic. There is a need for specific support beyond general business assistance.

Question

What steps are being taken to support zoos during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

In addition to the full range of financial support available to all businesses and employers, we have established an extra £100 million support fund for those facing severe financial difficulty. The deadline for applications has been extended to the end of January.

Answered
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Q2 David Amess Con
Environment
Context

During a visit to Chester Zoo, concerns were raised about the criteria of the zoos animal fund which seems restrictive, requiring zoos to be nearly closed before qualifying for aid.

Question

On a recent visit to Chester zoo, I saw its excellent conservation work and learned at first hand about the remarkable way it is coping with the coronavirus pandemic. However, the zoo animal fund criteria for access seem to be very peculiar, because zoos seem to have to be on the verge of closure before they can get any money. Surely that is wrong. Will my hon. Friend look at those criteria again, please?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

We listened to concerns following the roll-out of the initial support scheme and we have made changes to reflect that. The zoos animal fund is now open to zoos that have up to 12 weeks of reserves left, allowing for applications in advance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for reassessment was not explicitly addressed

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Q3 Mark Jenkinson
Environment
Context

Cumbria is involved in a project to explore the feasibility of reintroducing the white-tailed eagle, which is mentioned in the 25-year environment plan. The local nature recovery strategy pilot and group bid for feasibility work on this proposal.

Question

As we have just heard, zoos have an important conservation role to play. The white-tailed eagle is listed in our 25-year environment plan as a species whose reintroduction we could support as we develop our nature recovery network. Cumbria is at the forefront of nature recovery, as we have a local nature recovery strategy pilot and, separately, we are in a group that has submitted a bid for feasibility work on the white-tailed eagle's reintroduction. Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss how her Department might assist with that proposal?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The 25-year environment plan encourages the reintroduction of species such as the white-tailed eagle. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials would be pleased to meet him and discuss what further action could be taken.

Not addressed: Concrete departmental support or meeting commitments were not provided

How: Working With Partners

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