© ADI
Stop Circus Suffering
More than a year ago, ADI released video of the horrific abuse of elephants with the Great British Circus. It was business as usual – beatings, chaining and frightened animals. The abuse prompted the then government to launch a public consultation on the use of wild animals in circuses. In March, Defra announced the initial results of the consultation, with a staggering 94.5% of respondents backing a ban on wild animal acts. Defra Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, announced that Labour would introduce a ban. An election was then called and by May, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats had formed a new Coalition Government. During the General Election campaign, we contacted the political parties and every candidate, seeking their views on a ban on animal circuses. Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Greens strongly
© P. Taylor / ADI
I wish he’d jump – he’s been up there for years and it’s getting boring
ADI & NAVS
supported a ban, with the Conservatives neither supporting, nor opposing. Nick Herbert, then Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and now a Minister at the Home Office, said, "We recognise the public concern about the use of wild animals in circuses and the issues involved. We would certainly want to address these issues if elected. …We are willing to consider the case for a complete ban and I certainly do not rule this out. At the very least, we would want to ensure a robust regulatory regime so that we can be confident that wild animals are being treated properly." Nick Clegg, for the Liberal Democrats, now Deputy Prime Minister, was more forthright: “Keeping animals in circuses has been known to lead to poorer welfare due to the travelling and harsh training regimes. The barren trailers and temporary enclosures do not and cannot provide wild animals with their needs. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare concluded that “circus animals do experience compromised welfare” and that “animals do show psychological, physical and physiological signs of stress. …“Liberal Democrats are therefore committed to prohibiting the use of all animals in circuses except domestic dogs and horses.” Former Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, has tabled Early Day Motion 403, urging “..the Government to use its powers under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act to make a regulation banning the use of all wild animals in circuses,” and notes “…the only thing stopping this ban from coming in place is a decision by Ministers.” Supporters can send the ADI postcard to their MP, asking them to sign this EDM. Please get supplies of our postcards for friends, family, school, college or work colleagues to the same. In July, ADI and other animal groups met with Defra’s new Parliamentary Under
© ADI
A promise of a ban from the government in March; a Coalition government in May; where does that leave circus animals?
© ADI
UK wild animal ban still under consideration
Secretary of State, Lord Henley. The groups reiterated the need for a ban and that regulation could not protect animals in circuses. ADI resubmitted an independent legal opinion confirming that this legal avenue is possible and pointed out that the Defra legal team had concluded last year, that a ban is legal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Lord Henley expressed that any action required would be based on the scientific evidence. ADI advised that a wealth of scientific evidence has already been submitted by the groups; also the flaws of the Defra Circus Working Group, which set bizarre parameters leading to the exclusion of much evidence, including that on training. It was further remarked that public opinion, ethical considerations, and empirical evidence had been the basis of much animal protection legislation. The elephants at the Great British Circus were abused by two individuals and were chained, barely able to move one step forward or backward, for 11 hours a day. While this may not have appeared in a science journal, the evidence of suffering is unequivocal and is one of many examples. Four years on from a promise of a ban made to public and parliament, the new Coalition Government has an opportunity to end this suffering and take decisive action, with massive public support.
Photos from left: Despite chronic arthritis Annie the elephant continues to tour with Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus; a zebra, needs a coat to tour the UK with Circus Mondao; “No photography or video” at the Great British Circus – hard to imagine why!
Take Action! ● Please write to: The Lord Henley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Defra, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. Ask him to ban the use of non-domesticated animals in circuses. ● Write to your MP (House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA), and ask them to support a ban on the use of non-domesticated animals in circuses; ask them to write to Lord Henley urging them to take action. ● Contact us today and order our FREE campaign postcards, posters and leaflets – call 020 7630 3340.
The Animal Defender & Campaigner
l
Autumn/Winter 2010
21
Order leaflets
Order postcards