---

Animal Welfare: Circuses

Answer

During the passage of the Animal Welfare Bill through Parliament a Circus Working Group was established consisting of representatives of welfare organisations and the circus industry, together with an academic panel from the scientific community. The group was charged with examining the issues relating to the transportation and housing needs of wild animals (i.e. animals not normally domesticated in the British Isles) used for performance in travelling circuses. The conclusions were that there was not enough evidence to show that the welfare of wild animals in circuses is any better or worse than those in other captive environments and that available scientific evidence was insufficient to justify regulations being introduced to ban wild animals being used in circus performance.In the light of these conclusions we commenced a feasibility study on the possibility of introducing regulations. The first element, a report and recommendations from two zoo inspectors who have undertaken visits to both travelling circuses and winter quarters, has now been completed. The findings of the first element have been discussed with representatives of welfare and industry organisations and we are aiming for completion by the end of the year.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

502 c6-7W; 303056

Session

2009-10

Related items

Animal Welfare: Circuses
Monday, 11 January 2010
Written questions
House of Commons

Subjects

Animal welfare Circuses

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk