New Wild Animal Circus Ban EDM Tabled
12 years ago
1854 views
Posted
11th January, 2012 15h06
Animal Defenders International (ADI) says the Coalition Government is out of time and out of legal excuses as it supports an Early Day Motion (EDM 2563) on wild animals in circuses tabled in Parliament by MP Jim Cunningham to urge the Government to stop dragging its heels over an outright ban.
The motion follows the news in December that the legal challenge to Austria’s ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, cited by ministers as the reason that the UK could not bring in a ban, has been dismissed by the Austrian courts. This clears the way for a UK ban.
The public has voted overwhelmingly for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, a Backbench Committee vote last June supported a ban, but Defra continues to work on a system of licensing instead that is not in the public interest, says ADI.
The motion, primarily sponsored by MP Jim Cunningham (Labour, Coventry South) and supported by MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Gordon Henderson, Kelvin Hopkins, Caroline Lucas and Bob Russell calls on the government to use its powers to introduce a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses to take effect by 1 July, and respect the will of the House, which unanimously approved a motion directing the government to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in June 2010.
Jim Cunningham said: “The country has voted overwhelmingly for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, and it is something that both the public and politicians want.
“For the government to continue with a system of licensing, they are completely at odds with the will of the nation, and demonstrating just how out of touch they are. A licensing system will not address the main welfare problems that circus animals endure and we urge Government to act now to prevent further suffering.”
Jan Creamer, Chief Executive of ADI said: “Rather than recognising the will of the nation, the Government continues to consider a licensing and inspection regime for wild animals in circuses, in place of the ban recommended by ADI, all other animal welfare groups and overwhelmingly supported by Parliament.
“ADI has challenged the UK Government’s refusal to ban wild animal circuses in the face of overwhelming public and parliamentary support, and the recent decision by the Austrian Court to uphold their ban supports our case for the UK ban. If the Government continues to refuse to act, it will be directly responsible for enormous levels of unnecessary animal suffering, for years to come. There’s no reason not to proceed. The Government must act, now.”
ADI has released previously unpublished and unseen evidence that shows the failure of inspections – including sick animals being hidden from inspections, and teams of inspectors failing to notice animal care problems. The ‘Out of Control’ report provides clear evidence that an inspection system is doomed to failure.
Defra has also blocked ADI from accessing Government circus inspection reports – which only serves to prove that any inspection and licensing regime lacking the necessary transparency and accountability will perpetuate the suffering of wild animals, will not have the support of the public and will therefore fail.
View the report hereMore from
