UK Zoos Expert Committee (ZEC)
ZEC advises the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Scottish, Northern Irish, and Welsh Governments on zoo matters. This includes animal welfare, conservation, education, scientific research and public safety in zoos.
Terms of reference
The Zoos Expert Committee (ZEC) is an expert committee of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh Governments.
The Committee’s terms of reference are to provide independent, authoritative, impartial and timely advice, to Defra and the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh Governments on:
- the role of zoos in conservation, education and scientific research
- the operation and implementation of the zoo licensing system in the UK
- any other matters that might be considered necessary to improve standards in zoos
The Committee can, with the agreement of Defra and the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh Governments:
- investigate any specific aspects of zoo policy and practice falling within its remit
- consider any animal-related issue where there is a specific zoo interest and offer advice on animal welfare
- seek and obtain advice from other persons or organisations with knowledge or experience relevant to the Committee’s work
Membership
All members sit in a personal expert capacity and do not represent any particular body. Members are selected for their expertise on areas such as conservation and education in zoos.
Members of this group are:
- Dr Jonathan Cracknell MRCVS, Chair, Veterinary Surgeon, Zoo Inspector and former Zoo Director
- Dr Samantha Ward, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University
- Dr Paul Rose, Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter
- Charlotte Alexander, Animal Welfare Inspector, East Lindsey District Council
- James Wright, Senior Curator, Sealife Aquarium London
- Georgina Groves, Animal Welfare and Strategy Consultant
- Dr Romain Pizzi, RCVS recognised specialist and lecturer in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
- Kirsten Pullen, Chief Conservation officer, Chester Zoo
- Charlie Heap, Director of National Centre for Birds of Prey
- Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Chief Zoological officer, Zoological Society London
Any queries on zoo matters from the media should in the first instance be addressed to Media enquiries - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - GOV.UK