BLACKPOOL Zoo would have nothing to fear from any beastly directives from the European Union.

Fylde Euro-MP Mark Hendrick is pushing for compulsory standards for zoos to be set out in a legally-binding EU directive.

Blackpool Zoo boss Iain Valentine, along with other members of the British Federation of Zoos, said they had lobbied for compulsory standards since the 1980s.

"It would make no difference to us because the European directive would use the British zoo standards system which is superior to anything else," he said.

The Federation and Mr Hendrick both think the European Commission's current proposal for non-binding recommendations is inadequate to tackle cases of zoo cruelty on the continent. "Standards of care across the EU range from exemplary to appalling," said Mr Hendrick.

"British and other European citizens expect any zoo they visit to keep the animals in a healthy, happy condition.

"It is very upsetting to see animals which are bored or unhealthy." Blackpool Zoo, which this year made a profit for the first time and attracted nearly 250,000 visitors in nine months, has several new attractions lined up for the summer.

They include new enclosures for owls and otters, a new snake and invertebrate section, major improvements to the elephant, orang-utang, gorilla and big cat enclosures, and a revamped children's zoo where keepers can give talks and youngsters can handle domesticated animals.

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