BARROW and Furness MP, John Woodcock, has today (January 10) taken part in a first meeting of a new inquiry into deaths and cruelty in zoos.

John joined Labour’s backbench animal welfare committee to launch a review into how zoos are regulated and inspected following severe shortcomings in inspection practices exposed by the tragedies at South Lakeland Safari Zoo and other establishments across the country.

At the first session of the inquiry, MPs heard evidence from campaigners pushing to create a new national office for zoo welfare to replace the regulatory system which is currently managed by individual local authorities like Barrow council.

The inquiry will also consider the prospect of imposing a lifetime ban on individuals who held senior management positions in regimes that allow cruelty and neglect to occur. Currently, only the named license holder faces future restrictions if a zoo is found to be failing in its animal welfare and safety obligations.

Following today's meeting, Mr Woodcock said a strong case had been made for the new system.

He told how Councillor Simon Blackburn from the Local Government Authority had said the LGA would welcome a "fit and proper person" test for zoo owners and understood Mr Woodcock's concerns about senior managers from unfit tourist attractions being allowed to remain in post following failings.

Mr Woodcock said: "We also had a lively discussion during which there was a consensus on the panel around the need for inspections to be made more frequent."

Zoo owners – including the new management team at South Lakes zoo - will be asked to give evidence in future sittings as MPs look to recommend changes for a future Labour government to implement.