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Circus animal report looks at ban Circus animal ban 'not supported'
(4 days later)
A report looking into whether there are scientific grounds for outlawing the use of wild animals in circus acts is set to be published later. There is no scientific evidence to support a ban on using wild animals in travelling circuses, a report suggests.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-commissioned report, examines whether animals like lions and tigers should be banned from circuses. The Circus Working Group said there was "little evidence" the conditions these animals were kept in were "better or worse" than other captive environments.
There are around 47 wild animals in UK circuses, including 11 big cats. The academic panel was created to consider the scientific evidence from both sides of the debate.
Circus animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which prevents cruelty or suffering to vertebrates. Ministers have proposed a ban on some animals and will consider the working group's findings.
The report was ordered after debates on the Animal Welfare Bill sparked concerns about the use of non-domesticated animals in circuses. Its report concludes: "There appears to be little evidence to demonstrate that the welfare of animals kept in travelling circuses is any better or worse than that of animals kept in other captive environments."
I believe the circus is a valuable piece of popular culture, and in the traditional or classical circus, I believe the way forward is strict regulation and enforcing that regulation Chris BarltropCircus sub group chair class="" href="#bottom">Send us your comments Transportation
name="top"> The working group carrying out the report consisted of three sub groups of representatives from the circus industry, animal welfare organisations and academics. The six-person academic panel, nominated by animal welfare groups and industry representatives who formed the working group, said it had found no evidence that regular transportation adversely affected animal welfare.
Dr Mike Radford, a reader in animal welfare law from the University of Aberdeen, chaired the group. It said that, while being kept in a circus meant the animals were more confined than in the wild, that did not necessarily damage their welfare.
Chris Barltrop, circus sub group chairman, said he did not believe there should be a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. The panel concluded that animal health was generally good in travelling circuses and it was difficult to make a decision as to whether evidence of "stereotypic behaviour", such as pacing, showed poor welfare.
"I believe the circus is a valuable piece of popular culture, and in the traditional or classical circus, I believe the way forward is strict regulation and enforcing that regulation," he said. It is, ultimately, an entirely political decision Group chairman Mike Radford
The group was asked to look only at non-domesticated animals - those that are a member of a species that is not normally domesticated in the British Islands. There are fewer than 50 animals involved in travelling circuses in the UK, including a retired but still touring elephant, seven tigers, five lions, a number of llamas, zebras and snakes.
Kangaroo But the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses report by the chairman of the working group - Mike Radford of the University of Aberdeen - said animals such as tigers, elephants, sea lions, zebras and camels were still widely used in European circuses and a decision in the UK would be closely watched abroad.
According to information supplied by the circus industry sub-group, there are four circuses that use non-domesticated animals in their acts. He said: "Our present state of knowledge about the welfare of non-domesticated animals used in circuses is such that we cannot look to scientific evidence for a steer in the development of policy. It is, ultimately, an entirely political decision."
These include: a kangaroo, llamas, reindeer, lions, tigers, camels and even crocodiles. 'A travesty'
Five other circuses use only domesticated animals, mainly dogs and horses. But the report said changes needed to be made, as travelling circuses were not covered by any kind of animal welfare regulation - such as that afforded to animals in zoos - except standards all individuals have to maintain, and the requirement they register with local authorities.
A Defra spokeswoman said the Animal Welfare Act introduced a "duty of care" for any animal under the control of man, which ensures owners and keepers are responsible for the welfare needs of their animals. The government has proposed the ban on certain animals, alongside other regulations such as standards for over-wintering sites.
The duty applies to animals kept in circuses, that are pets, farmed animals and other domestic and companion animals. The RSPCA, which formed part of the welfare sub group of the working group, today called for a ban on wild animals in circuses.
"Defra has a commitment to producing regulations on the welfare of wild animals in circuses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, so we await this report with interest and will consider the report's findings in detail," the spokeswoman said. We warned that Defra's insistence on only looking at scientific studies would result in too little evidence, because this is not a subject that has been of academic interest - so the studies are not there. Jan CreamerAnimal Defenders International
Dr Rob Atkinson, the organisation's head of wildlife science, said: "Circus animals are kept for most of the time in close confinement, in abnormal social groups, exposed to forced movement, human handling, noise, vibration, and cage motion.
name="bottom"> "Allowing the use of wild animals in circuses to remain lawful would be completely against the spirit of the Animal Welfare Act - and would be a travesty."
Have you been affected by this story? You can send us your experiences using the form below: Jan Creamer, chief executive of Animal Defenders International, who sat on the welfare sub group of the working group, described the study as an "utter waste of time and effort".
class="bodl" href="#top">Return "We warned that Defra's insistence on only looking at scientific studies would result in too little evidence, because this is not a subject that has been of academic interest - so the studies are not there.
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"However, there is a great deal of observational evidence including studies and video that indicates that animals in cages on the backs of lorries, constantly travelling in deprived and unstable environments, compromise animal welfare.
"What we need is a dose of common sense in this decision."
But Chris Barltrop, chairman of the industry sub-group of the working group, said the report was "tremendous".
He also said the industry was prepared to accept greater regulation.
"This report is not the end of the road because we haven't yet achieved the goal of ensuring the future of the circus, which I believe is an important amenity and cultural feature.
"But I think this is the first day of what could be a very positive future for the circus industry," he said.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "I am very grateful for the group's work which will contribute to the debate on the welfare of wild animals in circuses.
"We will consider the report's findings carefully."