Article 2 Inspection powers

in subsection (5), for “A local authority” substitute “Subject to subsection (5A) of this section, a local authority”;

after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A)

Subsection (5) of this section does not apply where—

(a)

a person holds a licence under this Act which is in force (“the existing licence”);

(b)

that person applies for a new licence which is not to specify any species which—

(i)

is not specified in the existing licence, or

(ii)

is not in the family of a species so specified;

(c)

the conditions of the new licence as regards the keeping of any animal concerned are to be substantially the same as those contained in the existing licence; and

(d)

the local authority is satisfied that the grant of the new licence is not contrary to the public interest on the grounds of safety, nuisance or otherwise.”.