George Bernard Shaw

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Scotland plans to ban the use of wild animals in circuses

24 March 2006

Yesterday the Minister for Environment and Rural Development, Ross Finnie, confirmed his intention to introduce a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in secondary legislation following the implementation of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill.

This follows a successful campaign by the Born Free Foundation, Advocates for Animals and other animal welfare organisations to ensure that the complex needs of wild animals are not overlooked in national legislation.

Daniel Turner, a spokesperson for the Born Free Foundation said:

“We are very pleased that the Minister has indicated that the use of wild animals in circuses will be prohibited in Scotland. There is a clear consensus from animal welfare scientists, politicians and the British public that the frequent travelling and restrictive environments in circuses mean that they cannot provide for the basic needs of wild animals. The Born Free Foundation has published a report, together with the RSPCA, outlining the problems facing wild animals in circuses – “Its time parliament changed its Act” – the findings of which have been presented at Westminster, Cardiff and Edinburgh. We now look forward to becoming actively involved in the consultation process to determine the content of the secondary legislation, and subsequently to a timely and compassionate end to the exploitation of all wild animals in circuses in Great Britain”.

Secondary legislation specific to the welfare of circus animals should follow the implementation of the Bill and will involve a full public consultation. At this stage, it is unclear which species of animals will be included in the ban, but the Born Free Foundation and Advocates for Animals assert that, as a priority, all wild animals should be banned from use on the basis that their needs cannot be met adequately in travelling circuses.

Ross Minett, Director for Advocates of Animals, which has supported Born Free’s campaign in Scotland, has welcomed the news, saying: Advocates for Animals congratulates the Scottish Executive for proposing to end the use of all wild animals in circuses in Scotland. We are sure that the vast majority of the Scottish public will agree with the Executive that wild animals should not be continually transported from place to place, kept in totally inadequate conditions and forced to perform in a degrading manner for our entertainment. This kind of exploitation has no place in 21st Century Scotland. We hope members of the Scottish Parliament will support the Executive’s commendable proposal.”

Both organisations await further clarification of the intentions of the Minister and the Scottish Executive as to the future of wild animals in circuses in Scotland, and the proposed timetable, but are delighted with the recognition by the Executive that this practice no longer has a place in the 21st Century.

NB. For photographs and footage, please contact Daniel Turner at the Born Free Foundation – 07876470511, 01403 240170