Stop Circus Suffering

On 13 February, Animal Defenders International met with John Griffiths, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, and his advisors at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff to discuss the use of wild animals in circuses in Wales.

During the meeting, ADI presented our main objections to wild animals in circuses and discussed the issues surrounding their use, such as the serious welfare implications for the animals involved and the concern for public and worker safety, citing a number of recent escapes and accidents. A detailed briefing, drawing on our extensive undercover work in circuses as well as a number of scientific papers and reports, was presented to the Minister at the end of the meeting.

In response to an oral question in the Welsh Assembly by Jocelyn Davies on 16th January, the Minister stated that “….the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is considering legislation that would ban the use of wild animals in circuses. I have been liaising with the UK Government to make it clear that were that legislation to proceed, the Welsh Government would be interested in being a part of it, perhaps through a legislative consent motion, for example.”

ADI was heartened that support for a ban on the use of wild animals in Wales was reaffirmed during the meeting and we are hopeful that legislation will be introduced in parallel with the Coalition Government, who have promised to introduce a bill for pre-legislative scrutiny this session, although no date has been given for when the ban will take effect.

ADI is campaigning for a UK-wide ban on wild animals in circuses to be introduced, a measure widely supported by the public.

How you can help

• If you live in Wales, please contact your politic representative asking them to support a ban on wild animals in circuses in Wales. Find out who your representative is here
• Get active for circus animals in the UK & Ireland.
• Support our Stop Circus Suffering campaign.