CIRCUS BEARS

Early day motion 755, tabled 25 January 2007 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 79 members.

That this House notes with concern the cruelty to bears at zoos throughout China where they are forced to perform circus acts for members of the public; recognises that many bears are trained by enforcement, being beaten into submission until they will do whatever their trainer tells them, often with the use of sticks or electric prods; further notes that the bears' parents are held captive on farms where they are milked for their bile; expresses horror at the widespread nature of this torture with estimates showing as many as 7,000 bears being treated in this way; and calls on the Government to work with animal rights organisations and make representations to the Chinese authorities to stop this barbaric practice.

Signatures by party: Labour 49, Liberal Democrat 17, Conservative 10, DUP 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.