ROMANIAN ZOOS

That this House notes with concern the treatment of elephants in zoos in Romania; highlights the recent case where Europe's oldest elephant died after Romanian police set their dogs on it when it refused to enter its winter quarters; recognises that EU rules on minimum cage sizes are designed to improve animal welfare; further notes that Romania's 29 zoos are struggling to meet the new legislation as they lack funds to make the necessary changes to their zoos; further notes that this may result in animals being put down; and calls on the EU to work with the Romanian authorities to ensure that animal welfare standards are not abused in zoos and the necessary changes are implemented at zoos in order to protect animals.