ANIMAL WELFARE IN CIRCUSES (No. 2)

Early day motion 976, tabled 4 March 2009 by Mark Pritchard (Conservative). Signed by 75 members.

That this House notes with concern the continuing use of non-domesticated animals in circuses and more recently the re-introduction of elephants by the Great British Circus; is increasingly concerned by the delay of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in reporting on increasing amounts of evidence surrounding poor animal welfare standards in circuses; believes that the report of the Chair of the Circus Working Group fails to provide reliable information on this subject; supports the work of the Captive Animals Protection Society and others in achieving an end to animal use in circuses; and urges the Government to maintain its commitment to ban the use of non-domesticated animals in travelling circuses and to limit the use of domesticated species under a strict, accountable and open licensing system.

Signatures by party: Labour 47, Liberal Democrat 19, Conservative 4, DUP 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.