UK Government to ban wild animal circuses by 2020
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation congratulates the UK Government on committing to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in England by January 2020.
The announcement was made in a ‘Post Implementation Review’ of the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012, which was introduced as an interim measure ahead of a ban.
The Defra review states “The current Regulations expire on 19 January 2020. The Government does not intend to renew the Regulations as it intends to ensure that a legislative ban is introduced by then. The Regulations will then be allowed to expire”
Lorraine Platt, Co- Founder commented:
” We are pleased that the Government will ban wild animals in circuses by 2020, fulfilling a Conservative manifesto commitment. The needs of wild animals cannot be met in travelling circuses. These acts belong in the past.”
Opinion polls consistently show that the UK public support a ban on wild animals in circuses. Conservative MPs Mark Pritchard and Kevin Foster introduced Bills to end wild animals in circuses. Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick also introduced a private Members Bill which was not successful.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation proposes a ban in our ‘ Brexit: Opportunities For Animal Welfare’ document which we delivered to No10 in January 2017 with Patron Sir Roger Gale MP.
Scotland became the first country in the UK to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in December 2017.
