Editorial note

The aim of Council Directive 1999/22/EC is to protect wild fauna and conserve biodiversity by providing for the adoption of measures by Member States for the licensing and inspection of zoos in the Community, thereby strengthening the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity (Article 1). For the purpose of the Directive, ‘zoos’ are defined as all permanent establishments where animals of wild species are kept for exhibition to the public for seven or more days a year, although there are some exceptions (Article 2). The Directive requires zoos to take certain conservation measures, including participating in research, promoting public education and awareness, accommodating their animals under conditions which aim to satisfy the biological and conservation requirements of the individual species, preventing the escape of animals, and keeping up-to-date records of the zoo's collection (Article 3). Member States must adopt measures for licensing and inspection of existing and new zoos (Article 4), although licensing requirements may not apply where a Member State can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that the objective of this Directive and the requirements applicable to zoos are being met and continuously maintained by means of a system of regulation and registration (Article 5). In the event of a zoo (or part thereof) being closed, the competent authority must ensure that the animals concerned are treated or disposed of under conditions which the Member State deems appropriate and consistent with the purposes and provisions of the Directive (Article 6).