Government has time to bring in circus ban but will it act?
ADI highlights how time available to bring in legislation before election
As the bill to ban wild animals in circuses continues to be blocked by Conservative MPs – today once again by Christopher Chope – ADI is urging the Government, who have promised to introduce legislation “as soon as parliamentary time allows”, to take action once and for all. In a letter to Defra Minister Lord De Mauley ADI highlights how there is indeed the time needed to bring in the ban before the General Election.
Without action from Government, the proposed implementation date of December 2015 for the legislation is unlikely to be met, as the Wild Animals in Circuses Bill introduced by Jim Fitzpatrick MP continues to be blocked by Conservative MPs.
The circus Bill was today blocked for a sixth time but will be put forward again for a second reading on December 5th. When challenged today in Parliament as to why he is blocking the Bill, Mr Chope stated “I believe his Bill should be a Government Bill, because it was promised by the Government.” The MP previously stated he had blocked the bill because he believes that it should be “debated properly”. However, the issue has been debated at length and were the Bill allowed to pass, it would be scrutinised line by line. Conservative MPs Andrew Rosindell and Phillip Davies have also blocked the circus Bill on previous occasions.
This ban is long overdue, with the Government first committing to prohibit wild animal acts more than two years ago, and draft legislation published and scrutinised by an EFRA committee over a year ago. It has also been four years since Defra’s public consultation found 94.5% of respondents backed a ban, and three years since the House of Commons voted unanimously in favour of the measure.
As outlined in our letter to Lord de Mauley this week, there is clearly time for the promised legislation to be passed. Since the Queen’s Speech in June, the House of Commons has sat for 66 days, of which just 36 were taken up by Government business. The Queen’s Speech itself contained only 11 Bills, the lowest number for at least 20 years and fewer than the Queen’s Speech prior to the last election, when the session was five months shorter. The Government has even been allocated un-allotted opposition days for debate, with the Chief Whip also reported as having told MPs there will be no significant votes on a Thursday to enable them to campaign in the General Election.
With around 60 sitting days left until Parliament is dissolved for the General Election, and the majority of Bills set out in the Queen’s Speech having received a Second Reading, there is ample time for legislation to pass and for the will of the public and parliament to be met.
IT’S TIME TO STOP CIRCUS SUFFERING IN BRITAIN!
- Please ask your MP to urge the Prime Minister to bring in the promised ban ahead of the election
- Sign and share our petition – over 16,000 of you have here and on Care2
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IT’S TIME TO STOP CIRCUS SUFFERING IN BRITAIN!
Aren’t there laws against cruelty to animals?
Stop this horror!!!
STOP THIS OUTDATED ABUSE OF ANIMALS.
Please… It’s time…
No animal deserves to be in a circus for entertainment.
There is no LEGITIMATE reason why this bill should not be passed. Whilst the government is dithering and members trying to justify their existence, these WILD animals are suffering. The UK is miles behind many other countries in not making this happen. We should be taking the lead in this and setting a good example to all. Please make it happen.
please ban animals in the circus
Stop animal suffering in circuses! !!!
stop this creulty … The time is NOW
Hear our voice for these poor animals that cannot speak for themselves !!!!! no one needs or wants to see animals suffer like this!
Hear us
Please pass bill
please do this as soon as possible
ASAP please
Britain needs to stop living in the dark ages, animals being exploited for human entertainment is an outdated and barbaric practice!! Introduce new legislation and enforce an immediate ban on circus animals
Please stop animal suffering in circuses!
Please stop exploiting animals for entertainment and self-interest purposes.
We must evolve into a more humane society!
Enough is ENOUGH!!!! STOP this ARCHAIC, NEANDERTHAL practice of slavery and abuse!!!!!!!
STOP BEING SICK DOUCHES and RUINING THESE TIGERS LIVES!!!!!!
We need to stop circus’ so and all forms of animal abuse
All forms of animal abuse need to be stopped including circuses
Please have a heart and end this needless suffering.
do the right thing keep your promise and bring in the ban
Do your job and get this ban in place. We are lagging behind 3rd world countries and are once again hosting a circus with wild animals as they can see the weakness of this useless Tory government. Shame on you!
please stop using wild animals in cirkus
we are all behind you, bless you for your work
I’m signing because as a colonialist I am disgusted by the 3rd world mentality. These animals are not here
For entertainment they belong in the bush set them free
From the cruelty of circus ownership
STOP the cruelty !!
Britain is falling far behind in showing compassion for fellow living beings. You have the power to change this. What kind of legacy will YOU leave behind?
Please ban circus and save poor animals
Please protect these animals from this abuse and exploitation.
Stop stalling on this – people have made their wishes clear so do your job and act.