PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES (No.2) (23 May 2011)

That this House regrets the failure of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ban the use of wild animals in circuses; further regrets the Secretary of State's statement to the House with regard to an Austrian court case which does not exist; regrets that Ministers are using a potential court case in Austria not to implement a ban on wild animals in circuses in the UK; questions Ministers' use of the Human Rights Act when the Department's own impact assessment on a ban states that there are no concerns; holds that the Government's proposed licensing scheme will fail adequately to protect the welfare of wild animals; notes that 94.5 per cent. of respondents to the previous administration's public consultation support a ban, as well as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the British Veterinary Association, the Born Free Foundation and Animal Defenders International; welcomes The Independent newspaper's petition calling for a ban which has attracted over 22,000 signatures; and urges the Government to use its powers under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to introduce a regulation banning the use of all wild animals in circuses without further delay.

Sponsored by:
Mr Gavin Shuker (Independent)