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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