Lord de Mauley

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Nobel House

17 Smith Square

London

SW1P 3JR

Date: 4^th June 2014

Dear Rupert,

I am writing to you, to express my disappointment that a Bill to end the use of wild animals in circuses was not included in the Queen’s Speech.

The topic of wild animals performing in circuses has been discussed in Parliament for a number of years. After a Backbench Business Committee debate in June 2011, the Government was directed, by unanimous vote to end the practice by July 2012. Although the Government introduced the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses Regulations, this was only meant as an interim practice until a bill was introduced. These regulations do not go far enough to ensure animal protection and it is incomprehensible that, despite continued pressure from MPs, NGOs and the public, a Bill has not been introduced. Indeed, 94 per cent of people who responded to a DEFRA consultation on this subject wanted a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

The Prime Minister stated in 2012 that “There is no place in today’s society for wild animals being used for our entertainment in travelling circuses. Wild animals deserve our respect”. Furthermore, when confronted with the issue in April 2014, by myself, fellow colleagues and campaigners from Animal Defenders International (ADI), the Prime Minster confirmed his commitment by stating “Yes, we are going to do it”. Yet, the Government has failed to act.  When coupled with the fact that a draft Bill has already been prepared, it seems unfathomable that it remained absent from the Queen’s Speech.

The only way to ensure that these animals are protected is to introduce a ban to stop their use in circuses entirely. I, therefore, call on you to ensure that Government brings forward such a Bill as a matter of urgency.  

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilion