To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether he intends to introduce mandatory licensing for mobile animal exhibits.

At present, any mobile exhibits that display non-native vertebrae animals must obtain a zoo licence from my Department under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. The animals displayed by such exhibits are also protected by the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 which imposes a duty of care on any person with control of an animal to ensure that its needs are met.

My Department is, nonetheless, committed to reviewing and updating the regulation of animal establishments during this mandate. As part of that review, it intends to give consideration to whether specific licences should be required for mobile animal exhibits.