Richard Burden MP: Fighting for a fair deal for everyone in Birmingham Northfield

17 November 2009

Wild animals in circuses -

Several constituents have been in touch recently about wild animals in circuses and to let me know they support the campaigns for a ban on their use led by the RSPCA and Animal Defenders International.

I have signed a parliamentary motion calling on the government “to maintain its commitment to ban the use of wild species in travelling circuses, and to restrict and limit the use of domesticated species under a strict, accountable and open licensing system”. You can read the full motion online here.

I also recently asked a parliamentary question in the House of Commons to ask the Environment Secretary to bring forward proposals to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. I received the following answer from Jim Fitzpatrick, the Minister for Animal Welfare.

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward proposals to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. [296870]

Jim Fitzpatrick: Wild animals used in travelling circuses are protected by The Animal Welfare Act 2006, which prevents unnecessary cruelty or suffering to any vertebrate animal. The Act makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met. This includes the need: for a suitable environment (place to live); for a suitable diet; to exhibit normal behaviour patterns; to be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable); and to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

A Feasibility Study is currently underway looking at the possibility of regulating wild animal acts in travelling circuses. The Feasibility Study is nearing completion and we expect it to be finalised by the end of the year.

As you will see, the Minister says that a Feasibility Study looking at regulating wild animal acts in travelling circuses is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The Minister has also told me that he will be reviewing the findings of the study on completion. If you would like to raise any issues once the findings of this study are known then I would be happy to help make representations to the Minister on your behalf.

Would you like to keep up to date on what I am doing as your MP – including news about campaigns on animal welfare? You can sign up to receive my monthly e-newsletter online at www.richardburden.com/signup.