Animal activity licence holders

About the star rating system

The star rating system was introduced under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. The rating is based upon whether the licence holder achieves the minimum or higher standards set out in the Defra guidance. An example of the risk matrix used by inspectors is below.

The scoring matrix determines the star rating. It takes into account the:

• animal welfare standards adopted by the business
• level of risk (based on elements such as past compliance)

Risk levels

New businesses who do not have any licensing history with us are automatically deemed higher risk and therefore have fewer stars on their licence. Businesses with more than a year of history move into the lower-risk category and gain more stars earned through compliance during their licence time.

A business which holds a licence with multiple activities listed on it will be scored according to the activity it scores lowest on. For example, if a licence has 3 activities, 2 meeting higher standards and 1 meeting minimum standards, their licence will only ever be scored as a 2-star or 3-star licence unless all the activities meet higher standards.

The risk rating may vary during a business’s licensing history depending on:

• the history of compliance
• whether complaints are received and upheld
• the length of time a licence is held

A licence is earned through hard work and commitment. If a business is not worthy of a licence, it would not be granted.

The minimum licensing standards are much higher than any previously set in animal licensing. The higher standards require our licence holders to put a great deal of effort into attaining and retaining those standards.

Meeting the minimum standards

This means a licence holder meets the standards set out in their 'specific' and the 'general' conditions. The Defra guidance documents outline in more detail how to meet the conditions. It's expected all licence holders will achieve minimum standards.

Minor failings

A licence will be issued as the failings are normally only administrative.  A licence is not issued or will be suspended or revoked where the welfare of animals may be compromised.

Higher standards

Each activity has higher standards highlighted in the Defra guidance documents.  Meeting the higher standards is optional but is the only way to gain a higher star rating. 

A business must meet the minimum standards before the higher standards can be considered.

There are 2 types of higher standards: required and optional.

To apply the higher standards businesses need to achieve all of the 'required' higher standards and 50% of the 'optional' higher standards.

More information

Read more about star ratings and licence conditions on GOV.UK.