Stop Circus Suffering

ADI has applauded the Welsh Assembly for pledging its support for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, following the Coalition Government unveiling of legislation for a ban on such acts in England.

In a written answer in the Welsh Assembly the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies, has stated “I intend writing to Lord de Mauley confirming my predecessor’s view on working with the UK Government and seeking an extension to the offence of using a wild animal in a circus to Wales”.

ADI are delighted that the Welsh Assembly has made a clear commitment on this matter and urge the Government to put the proposed legislation before Parliament as soon as possible. We also hope that the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly will make similar commitments.

ADI’s investigations in the UK have repeatedly exposed violence and confinement and shown that animal circuses are no place for wild animals. The public have been backing ADI’s calls for a ban for over a decade so the ban being promised is long overdue.

Currently, two circuses are touring the UK with wild animals, Circus Mondao and Peter Jolly’s Circus. Last month, Defra released inspection reports and licence applications for both circuses, which illustrated a number of welfare issues and highlighted how regulation of the circus industry cannot protect the welfare of the animals.

The Coalition Government’s draft Bill would ban wild animals (animals not commonly domesticated in the UK) by 1 December 2015. The Bill is currently being scrutinised by the EFRA Committee to whom ADI has submitted written evidence. ADI is calling on parliament to progress the Bill swiftly so that it is passed this year.

During a meeting with the previous Welsh Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development John Griffiths in February, ADI was heartened to hear of his support for the ban on wild animals in circuses. This intent was intimated by the Minister in response to an oral question in the Welsh Assembly in January, and was reaffirmed during the meeting.

Take action!

Thank you to everyone who contacted the Welsh Assembly – now we need the same commitment for Scotland and Northern Ireland! Please contact Ministers in Northern Ireland and Scotland and urge them to bring in a UK-wide ban.

• Email Michelle O’Neill, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland at dardhelpline@dardni.gov.uk
• Email Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Scotland at scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk