PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
CIRCUS ANIMALS (1 December 1998)

That this House congratulates the Animal Defenders for the excellent and thorough report, The Ugliest Show on Earth, detailing appalling abuse and day-to-day deprivation suffered by circus animals; is pleased to note the recent conviction of one of the defendants in the cruelty case resulting from evidence gathered by the Animal Defenders; is concerned at the practice of shackling elephants for excessive periods of time and that the law is ambiguous in this area; notes that circuses exist in a legal loophole, inadequately regulated, licensed and inspected; and calls for a ban on the use of animals in travelling circuses and the extension of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 to cover the permanent holding facilities thus regulating staffing, housing, food and other welfare issues, public safety, hygiene, breeding, transport, sale and other disposal of animals.

Sponsored by:
Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat)