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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 28th May 2015
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Circus bill absent from Queen's speech
camel in a circus
England lags behind numerous other countries where a ban is already in place, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria and Greece.
Uncertainty over ban on wild animals in circuses

The future of a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses has been thrown into further doubt as it was absent from the Queen's 2015 speech.

Formally marking the start of the parliamentary year, the speech outlines the new government's agenda for the coming session, including proposed policies and legislation.

It is the fourth year running that the ban has been absent from the Queen's speech, since the government announced its intention to introduce a ban in 2012.

Commenting on the absence of the ban, the Born Free Foundation said it was "disappointed".

While the omission does not necessarily mean the ban will not be implemented, Born Free said including it in the speech would have been the "clearest sign yet that the Government planned to act on this important issue."

A draft bill published in April 2013 proposed to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in England by the end of 2015.

The charity has campaigned for a ban for some time, alongside the BVA, RSPCA and Captive Animals Protection Society. They argue that research shows the welfare needs of circus animals cannot feasibly be met in a travelling circus.

England lags behind numerous other countries where a ban is already in place, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria and Greece.

In March this year, The Independent reported that Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell lodged an objection to the Wild Animals in Circuses Bill. Under parliamentary rules relating to backbench bills, this concludes discussion.

Since the first attempt to debate the bill in September 2014, discussion has been blocked 12 times by a trio of Conservative backbenchers - Mr Rosindell, Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, and Christopher Chope, MP for Christchurch.

Responding to a question by Jim Fitzpatrick, the Labour MP who proposed the bill, George Eustice said: "We remain committed to banning the use of wild animals in circuses," but "we have run out of time this Parliament."

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.