New rules seek to spur zoo innovation
The government wants licences to be reviewed periodically, but has not announced an immediate ban on petting or feeding animals.
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The government wants to reform the licensing system for zoos. State Secretary Silvio Erkens writes to the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) that zoos falling behind should be capable of being compelled to improve, while pioneering institutions would face less administrative burden.
Current zoo licences are granted for an indefinite period. As a result, a zoo that changes little can continue operating under the same licence for years, while institutions seeking to adapt their enclosures are subjected to another extensive review. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, this creates the wrong incentive.
In the policy vision letter sent to the Lower House on Monday, Erkens proposes a system in which zoos must continue to demonstrate that they are developing. Animal welfare, education, species conservation and safety should be central to this. The precise legal framework still needs to be drawn up jointly with zoos, implementing organisations and animal-welfare organisations.
An important element is that underperforming institutions could be held to account under the new system. If an institution refuses to make necessary improvements, the government could, for example, impose an order backed by penalty payments. As a last resort, a licence could also be withdrawn. This is a policy direction, not a decision that will lead to closures today.
At the same time, the government wants to scrap rules that the ministry says contribute little to animal welfare. The government cites as examples the highly detailed requirements zoos must meet, including rules on the size of sand grains in aquariums and the diameter of perches for birds. The aim is for the rules to focus more on objectives and results.
The announcement also touches on the debate over public interactions, such as touching or feeding animals. Regulations already exist on this issue, and the Lower House has previously called for research into a possible ban. However, Monday’s published policy vision letter contains no immediate nationwide ban on these activities. The government does say that changing views on animal welfare must be reflected in policy.
The letter also highlights the social functions that the government attributes to zoos. They are expected to contribute to education and the preservation of biodiversity, but according to the vision these functions must be delivered in a measurable and transparent way. This shifts the debate from licensing conditions alone to the question of what public value a zoo actually provides.
The next step is to work out the legislation and regulations and consult the sector and regulators. Until then, the existing licences and requirements will remain in force. There will therefore be no immediate change for visitors on Monday; any new rules will first need to be developed and adopted.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- On 12 October 2026, the government sent the Lower House a policy vision letter on zoos.
- Current licences are granted for an indefinite period.
- The government wants to be able to hold underperforming zoos to account and give pioneering zoos less administrative burden.
- No immediate ban on petting or feeding animals was announced on Monday.
Left
Arguments Animal welfare should carry more weight than visitor entertainment and commercial interests. Licences should therefore be reassessed regularly, and public interactions that cause stress or unnatural behaviour should be capable of being restricted or banned.
Values The protection of animals, precaution and public responsibility.
Consequences Stricter rules may limit investment and visitor activities, but under this approach they would better protect animals and force the sector to demonstrate its social value.
Centre
Arguments A goal-oriented licensing system can create room for innovation without burdening every zoo with the same detailed rules. Enforcement must be predictable, accountable and based on measurable requirements for welfare, education and nature conservation.
Values Proportionality, practicality and institutional continuity.
Consequences The sector would have room to modernise, while underperforming institutions could be steered back on course subject to conditions. This would, however, require an independent and adequately resourced regulator.
Right
Arguments Zoos provide economic and educational value and should not be stifled by constantly changing requirements. The government should set clear minimum standards, but allow institutions to decide for themselves how to meet them.
Values Freedom of enterprise, predictable rules and institutional responsibility.
Consequences Fewer detailed rules could accelerate innovation and investment. Under this approach, an overly burdensome licensing system could lead to higher prices, fewer visitors and institutions closing.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based directly on Monday’s published policy vision letter and the national government’s explanation. The text clearly distinguishes between the announced policy direction and the rules already in force.
- confirmed The government wants to reform the licensing system for zoos. — On 12 October 2026, the national government published a policy vision letter on a new system. source
- confirmed Zoo licences are currently granted for an indefinite period. — This is stated in the government’s policy vision letter. source
- confirmed An order backed by penalty payments and possible withdrawal of a licence are mentioned as future enforcement measures. — The national government mentions both possibilities in its explanation. source
- confirmed No immediate nationwide ban on petting or feeding animals was announced on Monday. — The official announcement concerns the licensing system; it does not include an immediate ban. source
Editor's note
It is certain that on Monday the government sent a policy vision letter on a new licensing system. The precise legislation and the implications for public interactions have not yet been established.Sources
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- Wanneer heeft u een dierentuinvergunning nodig? — RVO
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