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Hilary Benn responds to report on welfare of wild circus animals

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (433/07) issued by The Government News Network on 20 November 2007

The independent Parliamentary Circus Working Group today published its report on the welfare of non-domesticated animals in circuses.

The group, chaired by Mike Radford, was asked to provide and consider evidence relating to the transportation and housing needs of non-domesticated species.

The Academic Panel advising the Group concluded that in order to justify a change to the status quo, the balance of the evidence would have to present a convincing argument for change. On the basis of the scientific evidence submitted to it, the Panel concluded that such an argument had not been made.

Responding to the report, Secretary of State for Environment, 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.

"I fully acknowledge that there is a strong body of opinion, both in Parliament and amongst the wider public, in favour of a ban. The Government will now want to hear reactions to the report and consider its position."

Notes to Editors
1. The full report can be viewed at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/pdf/circus-report.pdf

2. The group was set up in June 2006 and was chaired by Mike Radford, Reader in Animal Welfare Law at Aberdeen University. It is comprised of representatives from industry and welfare organisations and an independent Academic Panel of scientific experts.

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