{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/zoos-licensing-regulations-northern-ireland-2003/regulation-4",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/zoos-licensing-regulations-northern-ireland-2003/regulation-4.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/2003/115",
  "legislation_title": "The Zoos Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/zoos-licensing-regulations-northern-ireland-2003",
  "path": "regulation/4",
  "kind": "regulation",
  "number": "4",
  "heading": "Dispensation for particular zoos",
  "text": "(1) If the operator of a zoo makes application to the Department that in his opinion these Regulations should not apply to the zoo on the grounds that it does not exhibit a significant number of animals or species to the public, the Department, after consulting such persons as it thinks fit, may direct that these Regulations, with the exception of this regulation, shall not apply to that zoo.\n(2) An application under paragraph (1) must identify the location of the zoo and specify the kinds of animals listed in taxonomic category of Order and approximate numbers of each group kept or to be kept for exhibition on the premises.\n(3) The operator of a zoo that is exempt from the provisions of these Regulations by virtue of a direction issued by the Department under paragraph (1) shall notify the Department of any significant increases in the numbers of animals or species exhibited at the zoo.\n(4) Any direction made by the Department under paragraph (1) may be revoked or varied by a further direction of the Department after consulting such persons as it thinks fit.\n(5) The Department shall only make a direction under paragraph (1) or (4) if it is satisfied that it would not jeopardise the protection of species of wild animals and the conservation of biodiversity.\n(6) The Department shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the operator of the zoo is notified in writing of any direction under paragraph (1) or (4).",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "Reg. 4 in operation at 31.3.2003, see reg. 1"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2003/115/regulation/4",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T02:04:08.569352+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}