Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Charities call for Europe-wide ban on wild animals in circuses
"A Europe-wide ban is needed to free circus animals from their chains and cages, and end circus abuse in Europe once and for all." - Jan Creamer, ADI.

New campaign shows public support for 'reinvention' of circuses using animals.

To mark World Wildlife Day, UK-based charity Animal Defenders International (ADI) and the Eurogroup for Animals coalition have launched a new campaign calling for a Europe-wide ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

In the European Union, 23 member states have now adopted national restrictions on the use of animals in circuses; however, some nations’ restrictions only apply to certain species.

The EU Stop Circus Suffering campaign aims to raise awareness of the suffering that animals in circuses endure, in an effort to prompt authorities and governments around the world to end their use.

Investigations carried out by ADI have shown the poor conditions that animals in circuses are kept in, as well as the harsh handling methods used to control them and the excessive amounts of time they spend shut in trucks and trailers.

A Savanta ComRes opinion poll conducted on behalf of Eurogroup for Animals asked the public for their views on animals in circuses in Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Spain.

The results showed that 68 per cent of respondents agree that the use of wild animals in circuses is cruel and 62 per cent say that the European Union should ban the use of all wild animals in circuses. 83 per cent of respondents added that the European Union need to guarantee that cruel uses of animals are not allowed.

Jan Creamer, president of ADI said: “Many European nations have recognised that circuses are no place for wild animals and implemented bans.

“However, bans at the national and regional level have not stopped wild animals from being trucked around the continent in the name of cruel entertainment. A Europe-wide ban is needed to free circus animals from their chains and cages, and end circus abuse in Europe once and for all.”

ADI and Eurogroup for Animals will continue to raise awareness through the EU Stop Circus Suffering campaign over the coming months.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.