§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in respect of the treatment of circus animals; and what plans he has to review the regulations governing their use. [69015]
§ Mr. George HowarthRepresentations have been received from the all party parliamentary group for animal welfare, Members of Parliament, animal defenders and members of the public.
The legislation—the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925—make it a criminal offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive wild animal. Trainers and exhibitors of circus animals are required to be registered with the local authority. Officers of local authorities have the power of entry to premises in which performing animals are being kept for training or exhibition and powers to inspect those animals.
The Home Office is planning to issue guidance to local authorities about these powers. The Department will also be seeking information about the welfare of circus animals which are kept in winter quarters. Once this information has been obtained, we will consider the matter further. In the meantime, we expect local authorities to be robust in their enforcement of existing legislation governing the use of animals in circuses.