MP calls for public support on banning wild animals in circuses

Colchester MP Bob Russell tells of why he thinks there should be a ban of wild animals in circuses in the UK.

The use of wild animals in circuses has been a heated matter sparking much controversy. For several years animal welfare organisations have persistently fought to get a ban in place. Yet no such ban has yet been implemented. Earlier this year this issue was brought to public attention when national outrage was caused when footage was released showing a Romanian groom beating Britain’s last remaining circus elephant Anne at the home of the Bobby Roberts Circus.

From this, MP’s motioned for a debate in parliament in defiance to the government’s 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) This motion was tabled by Mark Pritchard MP, Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Bob Russell MP – who are long-standing animal welfare campaigners.  

The majority of MP’s voted in favour for a complete ban and it looked like the government were going to implement one. However since this nothing has changed, the government have instead opted for a new licensing scheme. So what is happening now with the campaign? Will there be a ban in the future?

The Big Top Debate spoke to MP Bob Russell to find out what is going on.

What is happening with campaign?

The campaign goes on and I very much regret as I see it that the government are not following the will of parliament which was made quite clear that there should be a complete ban of exotic animals in circuses. I regret that the coalition government feels less than enthusiastic to take this issue forward. So as it happens I am tabling a parliamentary question to ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs to find out where we are with the legislation.

Why is the government opposed to a ban?

Well they say that there are legal complications and that it is European court action that is pending which means that the UK cannot make a decision. But I think this is just an excuse, there is cross party support and I have personally been against the use of live animals in circuses for over 40 years.

Do you think there will be a complete ban of wild animals in circuses in the future?

Yes, I think it is only a matter of time, it is regrettable that it is taking this long. The House of Commons on a cross party vote has declared its wish for a ban and now want we want to see is the coalition government to deliver on the will of parliament. At the moment they are dragging their feet but I am tabling a parlimentry question and I am sure others will pressing the government fraction.

How would encourage the public to get involved in this issue?

I would urge anyone to contact their local MP and ask parliament to put pressure on Defra or go directly to the Prime Minister or even go to your local council to sign a motion that will get sent to the government. I think people need to raise public awareness and determination so that the government cannot just push this issue away. I think people like myself need to continually keep this issue alive.

Animal welfare organisations have been campaigning for years for a ban but nothing has changed yet, what more can be done?

I think it is just a matter of time but I am concerned that time is getting elongated – this should have been banned in the last century. We are in the 21^st century where we really should have a ban by now and that barbarity towards animals should not be viewed as a spectacle of entertainment.

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.

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The Big Top Debate