Circus Regulations Progress To The House Of Commons Following Approval By Lords, Despite Concerns

The House of Lords has approved regulations on the use of wild animals in circuses, following Wednesday’s Grand Committee debate, despite concerns raised by peers including Lord Knight of Weymouth and Baroness Parminster, who said that “the majority view among the welfare organisations and indeed the veterinary profession is that adequate regulations cannot be put in place to guarantee the welfare of wild animals used in travelling circuses”. Responding to accusations of procrastination on its promised wild animal circus ban, Lord De Mauley responded that “we expect to be able to publish draft legislation for pre-legislative scrutiny this session”. He added that the seven-year duration of the regulations would not conflict with the timescale of a ban stating that it would not “prevent the licensing regulations becoming redundant earlier”. The regulations will next be discussed in the House of Commons by the First Delegated Legislation Committee chaired by Jim Sheridan MP on Monday 29th October at 4.30pm. Jan Creamer, ADI Chief Executive: “Animal Defenders International is disappointed that legislation to license the use of wild animals in circuses is pressing ahead. Why is the government continuing to waste taxpayers’ money and parliamentary time to push through regulations which will not prevent animal suffering, when it has pledged to introduce a ban? It goes against the will of parliament and the public and simply beggars belief.” Animal Defenders International (ADI) believes that the regulations are unworkable, ineffective and will not safeguard the welfare of wild animals in circuses. For example, licensing would not have prevented:

• The terrible violence inflicted on Anne the elephant at the winter quarters of Bobby Roberts Super Circus in 2011. Anne’s owners are charged with three offences under the Animal Welfare Act, the trial for which will take place next month.
• The suffering of the three elephants that toured with the Great British Circus in 2009, whose chaining overnight was not spotted by RSPCA and local officials (and which the circus lied to politicians about). One of the elephants, Delhi, was “chronically and obviously lame”, but the seriousness of her health issues were not picked up during early inspections and, contrary to advice, the circus continued to make her perform, despite a verbal assurance that they would not do so.

To support the draft legislation on licensing, the government has produced guidance for circus operators but this document is flawed with gaping holes in key welfare considerations. For example the document does not cover some species which are currently touring with circuses; of five groups of species, guidelines concerning the display, training and performance are only given for one group of species; and there is no restriction on breeding, which could mean that the number of animals in circuses increases.

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