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Is there been a ban on wild animals in circuses in the UK?

At the moment there is no law in the UK to stop circuses using wild animals. Wheras Austria, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Israel and Singapore have a complete ban – so why hasn’t the UK?

Although the popularity of animal circuses is declining, there is still an estimated 39 wild animals remaining in three UK circuses. Circus animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, but many feel that this isn’t enough.

In March this year outrage was sparked when upsetting footage, taken by a hidden camera installed by the campaign group Animal Defenders International,  showed a Romanian groom beating and stabbing Britain’s last remaining circus elephant Anne at the home of the Bobby Roberts Super Circus, where the animal has worked since 1957. The footage was released to the Daily Mail and caused a global outcry for the elephant to be re-homed. After much public support, Anne the elephant, who is riddled with arthritis, finally said to goodbye to the circus and was moved to Longleat Safari Park in April.

Following this several animal organisations called for a ban on wild animals in circuses. The Government had initially planned to ban wild animals from circuses but the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) was forced to do a U-turn, after David Cameron reportedly blocked the move and proposed to introduce a new licensing system instead.

However MP’s  motioned for a debate in parliament in defiance to the governments proposed new licensing scheme. Midway through the debate a free vote was announced which meant MP’s were allowed to vote on the issue independently rather than with their particular party. This was the first ever debatable vote on banning wild animals in circuses (23rd June 2011) The motion was tabled by Mark Pritchard MP, Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Bob Russell MP – who are long-standing animal welfare campaigners.  

Conservative whips had previously warned they would impose  a three-line whip, to get backbenchers to support the Government’s alternative proposal of a licensing system. But after The Independent’s succesful campaign for a ban and the long campaigns waged by animal welfare organisations, the Government backed down and allowed MP’s to vote on the issue.

Although this was a great success for many animal welfare organisations nothing seems to have changed. The Government seems to be doing a u-turn on the situation. The motion by MP’s to introduce a ban was only to ‘direct’ the Government to introduce one. It is not yet law. 

But why is the government so opposed to a ban? There is a fear that they could be challenged in court under the Human Rights Act because of a legal challenge against a ban in Austria.

The story is no longer in the public eye which is why it is important to keep it alive.

Hello!

Hello and welcome to the first post on The Big Top Debate blog.

The Big Top Debate will be investigating the future of the animal circuses. Recently there has been growing pressure on the government to propose a ban on wild animals in circuses, but is there actually going to be a ban? If so, what impact will this have on the traditional circus?

This blog is going to look at both sides of the story, by looking at various issues regarding the use of animals in circuses.

Please follow this blog to find out more on the ban and please share your views.

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Thanks for reading

The Big Top Debate