Justin Welcomes Ban On The Use Of Wild Animals In Circuses

Justin Tomlinson MP, Conservative MP for North Swindon, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses will be implemented by 2020.

Since being elected in 2010, Justin has consistently campaigned against the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. He has also regularly lobbied for a ban on the practice, writing and speaking to Ministers at the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs.

He first spoke on the issue in Parliament back in 2011, highlighting the fact that banning live animals could make circuses more popular as animal lovers opposed to the practice returned to them. Later that year he also discussed the subject with the then Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ask what steps were in place to ban the use of animals in travelling circuses.

To ensure the subject was kept on the radar, Justin followed up with further questions in 2013 and 2014, pressing the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for an update on the issue.

The use of animals as circus acts has long been criticised by animal rights charities, who view it as being detrimental to the physical and psychological health of the animals. 

In 2012 the Government made a commitment to ban the use of using wild animals in traveling circuses. A consultation on a proposed ban was carried out, with 94% of respondents in support of ending the use of animals as circus acts.

In advance of introducing the necessary primary legislation for the ban, the Government also introduced a licensing scheme using powers available under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to further protect the welfare of wild animals used in travelling circuses.

The current regulations expire on 19 January 2020, and the Government does not intend to renew them. Instead the Government intends to ensure that a legislative ban is introduced by then and the regulations will then be allowed to expire.

The UK will join more than 40 other countries who have banned the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, including Scotland and Wales.

Animal rights campaigners have raised concerns about how constant traveling has left circuses unable to provide adequate facilities to keep animals healthy and provide them with suitable shelter. The use of brutal training techniques has also been criticised.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Watching Animals being mistreated shouldn’t be seen as entertainment. I welcome this long overdue ban, it is an issue I have campaigned on consistently throughout my time as an MP. I am delighted to see that my work has paid off. I am very proud of the Government’s record on strengthening animal welfare, and this is just the latest example of how important it is to the Government.”

David Bowles of the RSPCA said: “The news that the Government has said there will be no wild animals in circuses in England after the 2019 season or earlier is very welcome and comes as a huge relief. It’s been a long-time coming. This announcement gives circuses a clear two-year warning that no more licences will be issued and after that there will be a ban on wild animals in circuses. The complex needs of wild animals can never be adequately met in a circus environment and regular transport, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance are all unavoidable realities for the animals.”