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16/04/2013
Wild Animals Banned From Circuses
New government proposals will see the use of wild animals in circuses banned, following a long campaign by politicians and animal welfare groups.
In June 2011 MPs overwhelmingly supported a blanket ban, but ministers were initially reluctant to meet their demands due to fears over possible legal action from circus operators.
Under the new proposals it will be an offence for any operator to use a wild animal in performance or exhibition in a travelling circus in England from 1 December 2015.
The agriculture minister David Heath told MPs: "This 'grace period' is to allow operators of travelling circuses a reasonable period of time to adapt their businesses and organise suitable care arrangements for their wild animals."
Under the terms of the draft wild animals in circuses bill the ban will cover any creature not normally domesticated in Great Britain.
(H/CD)
In June 2011 MPs overwhelmingly supported a blanket ban, but ministers were initially reluctant to meet their demands due to fears over possible legal action from circus operators.
Under the new proposals it will be an offence for any operator to use a wild animal in performance or exhibition in a travelling circus in England from 1 December 2015.
The agriculture minister David Heath told MPs: "This 'grace period' is to allow operators of travelling circuses a reasonable period of time to adapt their businesses and organise suitable care arrangements for their wild animals."
Under the terms of the draft wild animals in circuses bill the ban will cover any creature not normally domesticated in Great Britain.
(H/CD)
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