Stop Circus Suffering

Statement from ADI: Veracity of MORI Opinion Poll

STATEMENT FROM ANIMAL DEFENDERS INTERNATIONAL: Circus Industry claim that ADI MORI poll has been withdrawn, and veracity of data.

Statement Date: 14 March 2006

From: Jan Creamer, Chief Executive.

I have spoken to MORI this morning, and the ADI Poll has not been “withdrawn” as claimed by the circus industry. Please see the the following statement from MORI:
“MORI conducted a survey of public opinion on behalf of ADI in October 2005, regarding views towards performing animals in circuses. The survey comprised a nationally-representative sample of 1,007 people across Great Britain, interviewed by telephone.
“The results were posted on our website – http://www.mori.com – for general information. Last month, we received a complaint from a member of the public, claiming that the question was biased by the wording of a preceding question.
“The results were removed whilst a similar question was run among a comparable sample – without the preceding question – to judge the effects of the claimed bias.
“In the event, the two sets of results proved to be very similar – and so the hypothesis of bias was not proven.
“We are therefore re-posting the ADI survey results, and are happy to confirm that MORI stands by them.
14 March 2006”

Read the statement on the Mori website

The correctly conducted and weighted ADI Mori Poll in 2005:

80% say ban all wild animal circus acts.
65% say ban all animal circus acts.
90% against whipping and beating when training circus animals.
Only 7% strongly opposed the calls for bans.

The poll also revealed that more than twice as many people now visit animal-free circuses as opposed to those with animals.

In the last five years, numbers attending animal-free circuses have risen from 6% to 16%.
Animal circuses remain slumped at 7% attendance.

The most popular forms of animal entertainment attended are aquariums (50% of respondents), zoos (39%), safari parks (22%), showing that people see circuses as an area where specific action is urgently required by the Government – even if they do not oppose the broader issue of animals in captivity.

Significantly this Poll supports the findings of earlier opinion polls:-

  • In 2004, NOP Poll:Question: “The use of performing animals in circuses should be banned”

Agree strongly 51%
Agree slightly 12%
Neither agree nor disagree 9%
Disagree slightly 18%
Disagree strongly 8%
Don’t know 2%
Thus:
63% support a ban on performing animals
26% oppose a ban

  • In 1999, a MORI Poll: 72% wanted wild animals banned.

Significantly, all the polls have shown no significant strong opposition to a ban.

Poll by Zippo’s Circus

On the specific issue of horses in circuses, a poll was conducted by MORI for Zippo’s Circus in February. This has shown opinion split fairly evenly on this issue, but with more people strongly supporting a ban than those strongly opposing it.

Q1: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Horse / equestrian displays in circuses are acceptable”
Strongly agree 14%
Tend to agree 29%
Neither agree nor disagree 17%
Tend to disagree 13%
Strongly disagree 26%
None of these / Don’t know 2%

Zippo’s say on their website: “MORI poll shows 62% of the public support for horses in circuses.” This is clearly a misrepresentation of the facts and is achieved by adding those who “neither agree nor disagree” to “support”.

ADI’s current position is based on successive polls over two years, by different independent companies, rather than a single poll.

Please contact us if you require further information.

Sincerely
Jan Creamer

View ADI’s Parliamentary Briefing on circuses.

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