Vets Welcome Better Circus Animal Welfare
Responding to the initial consultation results that showed more than 94% of more than 10,500 respondents agreed with a complete ban, Mr Fitzpatrick said he was minded to pursue the ban.
The BVA responded on behalf of the veterinary profession calling for the complete ban.
Commenting, Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: “We are delighted that the Minister has responded so positively to the overwhelming call for a complete ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.
“Although it only affects a small number of animals at present the BVA’s Ethics and Welfare Group felt that their needs and the needs of future animals could not be adequately met by the environmental conditions of a travelling circus.
“If the Government goes ahead with a ban it is vital that each animal is individually assessed so that appropriate action can be taken. This could include re-homing to a zoo or sanctuary, living out the rest of its life with existing owners, or other options that can meet its needs.”
RSPCA’s Government Relations Manager Claire Robinson said "We’re extremely delighted to see that the Government has decided to finally move forward with proposals to ban the use of animals in circuses and that the Animal Welfare Minister agrees it’s no longer acceptable.”
“This is an issue the RSPCA has worked on for a number of years, most recently through our hugely successful ‘Big Stop Campaign’ and we’d like to say a big thank you to all our supporters who signed up to it. We hope that the Welsh Assembly Government and other devolved administrations will now follow suit.”
The RSPCA has long held the view that animals should not be subjected to the suffering associated with circuses.
Wildlife Scientist Dr Ros Clubb said “'Circuses are clearly no place for wild animals. Confining animals like elephants to beastwagons and cramped temporary cages, transporting them from site to site and exposing them to abnormal social groups and noisy conditions all add up to a recipe for poor animal welfare. Watching animals perform unnatural tricks also does nothing to educate the public or promote compassion for animals.”
“I hope this brilliant response to Defra’s consultation is the start of a journey that will finally bring an end to this unnecessary animal suffering”.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
