An MP has criticized the requirement for Somerset Reindeer Ranch to obtain a full zoo licence as “nonsensical,” warning it could threaten the future of the business. The Somerset Council recently mandated that the ranch either secure a zoo licence or reduce its public opening days to six or fewer.
Reindeer keeper Sarah Sutton expressed concern that meeting zoo licensing standards would force her to transform the ranch into a high-security facility, suitable for containing dangerous wild animals like big cats. Sutton emphasized that adapting the infrastructure to comply with such regulations would be prohibitively expensive and impractical for her operation.
Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has advocated for a change in the law, citing the fundamental difference between domesticated reindeer and truly wild, hazardous animals such as tigers or lions. She introduced the Reindeer (Licensing for Exhibition) Bill in Parliament, aiming to exempt domesticated reindeer from zoo licensing requirements under the Zoo Licensing Act.
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“Domesticated reindeer are not wild animals and should not be treated as such,” said Dyke. “The law must fairly recognize reindeer as domesticated to preserve small rural businesses like this ranch, which have operated safely for many years.”
Currently, a zoo licence is required for premises exhibiting wild animals to the public for at least seven days a year. However, reindeer have been domesticated for centuries and are widely accepted as farmed animals by organizations like The British Deer Society. Dyke described the classification of reindeer alongside dangerous wild animals as an “anomaly” that unfairly burdens businesses like Somerset Reindeer Ranch.
The ranch, which opened in 2012 near Yeovil, is home to a herd including reindeer named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and several others. In addition to on-site open days, the animals participate in off-site festive events and visits to care homes, drawing community interest.
Somerset Council clarified that it is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that determines whether reindeer are wild or domesticated in Great Britain. The council has acted following complaints about the number of public event days exceeding the allowed limit without a zoo licence.
While the £2,747 zoo licence fee is manageable, Sutton highlighted that the required security measures—such as reinforced fencing, specialist gates, and equipment to safely manage escaped animals—would impose thousands of pounds in costs. She described this as turning her farm into a “fortress” suitable for large predators, which is unnecessary for a reindeer ranch.
Somerset Council has stated that it is sympathetic to the ranch and will support it through the licensing process without enforcement action at this time.
MP Dyke noted that government backing is crucial for the success of her bill, which seeks to amend legislation so that reindeer farms can continue operating without disproportionate regulatory burdens. Both she and Sutton emphasize the importance of animal welfare and the preservation of rural livelihoods.