Government reveals plan to defy backbenchers on wild animal circus ban

11 October 2011

The Coalition Government is risking incensing cross-party MPs after dismissing calls to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, and effectively ignoring the Commons Debate and unanimous call for a ban in June, says Animal Defenders International (ADI).

In reply to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Justin Tomlinson, Conservative MP for Swindon, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Caroline Spelman restated the Government's controversial decision to opt for a licensing system that will allow circuses to continue using wild animals under certain standards, therefore ignoring the will of the House to ban their use before July 2012.

Jan Creamer, ADI Chief Executive said: "We are extremely grateful to Mr Tomlinson whose question has exposed Defra's undemocratic approach to policy-making. Government has chosen to disregard the decisions made by elected representatives and the UK public alike, and their continued reluctance to act in this matter is baffling.

"Once again we are seeing Defra turning a blind eye not only to the suffering of animals, but to the will of the public, Parliament, and even the Prime Minister, who has gone on record to say that he was 'minded' to ban.

"Politicians and the public have voted overwhelmingly in favour for a ban on wild animals in circuses, and it is high time that Defra took action. They are becoming increasingly isolated in this debate, and it's the poor animals who are continuing to suffer as a consequence."

Mr Tomlinson MP said: "There is no doubt that the nation would like to see an outright ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.'

'I therefore strongly urge the Government to introduce a ban rather than a system of licensing to fully prevent animals from languishing in circuses across Britain, as demanded by the public and many MPs.'

This latest development comes after a string of unsubstantiated and inaccurate claims made by Defra, with the Minister Caroline Spelman being under constant scrutiny since being appointed over a series of embarrassing U-turns on flagship proposals including the decision not to ban wild animals in circuses.

In a previous Parliamentary debate, Defra Minister Jim Paice MP also had to admit that his department had made inaccurate claims about the legality of a circus ban, having cited a legal challenge in Austria that was exposed by ADI as not being in existence at that time.

The Minister has also claimed that banning wild animals in circuses would be illegal under EU law and may also be in breach of the Human Rights Act. ADI has published expert legal opinion that categorically states that there are no legal obstacles to a ban. Defra has failed to respond to ADI on these points, and has refused to publish the legal advice that it had received to arrive at its flawed decisions.

Tim Phillips, ADI's Campaigns Director said: "This recent announcement is just the latest in a series of undemocratic manoeuvres from a department ignoring the decisions of Parliament and the opinion of the public, when it should be listening to the will of the country.

"Time and again we have exposed abuse and violence inflicted on these poor animals and still Government fails to address the issue. It is high time that Defra stopped pontificating and now moved to make this ban a reality, and ADI will continue to fight to make this happen."

An ADI investigation into the winter quarters of Bobby Roberts Super Circus this year revealed a staggeringly high level of violence and serious animal husbandry flaws. Incidents included Anne, an elderly, severely arthritic 57 year old elephant, being hit with a metal pitchfork and kicked around the face and body 48 times over the period of observation by workers, who are also seen beating and spitting on a camel and beating miniature ponies and horses on numerous occasions.

ADI's exposé of the horrific abuse of elephants at the Great British Circus in 2009 put wild animals in circuses back on the political agenda, and their evidence was presented to Government which helped prompt a public consultation on animal circuses in December 2009.

National measures to prohibit or limit the use of animals in circuses have already been adopted in Bolivia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Singapore, Costa Rica, India and Israel and similar laws are being discussed in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Greece.

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