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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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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.