Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has joined Animal Defenders International (ADI), the organisation spearheading the campaign to end the use of wild animals in circuses in Britain, to back a new bill introduced today by former Labour Defra Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP to ban such acts.
Parliament voted unanimously in favour of a ban in 2011, and the Government first announced that it would take action on this issue in March 2012. A delay in bringing in a ban has seen the number of wild animal acts increase and the return of big cats to Britain. This bill, which is identical to the one published by the Government last year and scrutinised by MPs, would ban wild animal acts by the end of 2015.
Annette Brooke, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said, “Wild animals do not belong in travelling circuses, and I hope that this Bill can become law to finally end the suffering they endure. I know many of my constituents share this hope.”
ADI President Jan Creamer said: “ADI is delighted to have the support of Annette Brooke MP on this important issue. A ban on the use of wild animals in circuses enjoys overwhelming political, and public, backing so we hope the Prime Minister and government will get behind this new bill to finally bring an end, as promised, to the suffering of lions, tigers and other wild animals in British circuses.”
