Press Release:

Tuesday 21 June 2011

MPs have “golden opportunity to strike a blow for animal welfare” – says Wildlife Aid Foundation

The Wildlife Aid Foundation is calling on MPs to vote for a complete ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

On Thursday (June 23) the House of Commons will debate the motion “That this House directs the Government to use its powers under section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to introduce a regulation banning the use of all wild animals in circuses.”

According to opinion polls, more than 70 per cent of the British public favour a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. The Wildlife Aid Foundation believes that wild animals belong in the wild and that keeping these animals in captivity and forcing them to perform in circuses is “an appalling example of ignorance and inhumanity”.

Simon Cowell MBE, Founder-Director of the Wildlife Aid Foundation, said: “Parliament has a golden opportunity this week to strike a major blow for animal welfare. The continued use of wild animals in circuses is utterly inhumane, it causes unnecessary suffering, and there is no justification whatsoever for this practice in this day and age.”

Cowell, who also presents the TV series Wildlife SOS, is worried that MPs might accept a watered-down policy of licensing and inspection of circus animals instead of a ban. Licensing is the approach favoured by the Coalition Government. “We are calling on MPs in the Coalition parties to vote according to their conscience rather than following the party whip,” said Cowell.

“If the House of Commons fails to vote for a ban this week, that won’t be the end of the story. The issue will not go away and MPs should keep this in mind when they vote on this motion. Keeping wild animals in circuses causes them incredible suffering and there is no place for it in modern Britain.

“If Parliament fails us on Thursday, the Wildlife Aid Foundation and other charities will continue to campaign for an end to the iniquitous practice.”