Cynon AM supports Bill to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in Wales

Vikki Howells AM is supporting a new Welsh Government Bill which is set to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in Wales

The Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill aims to address ethical concerns and improve wellbeing by preventing wild animals being used in travelling circuses that visit Wales.

The Bill, which would see an end to the use of species like lions, elephants and camels in travelling circuses, was overwhelmingly backed in a recent consultation with more than 6,500 responses.

During the debate on the Bill’s introduction, the Cynon Valley AM posed questions about inspecting circuses and the promotion of alternatives, such as the German-based Circus Roncalli which uses technology to produce cruelty-free holograms of wild animals.

Vikki Howells AM said:-

“The introduction of this Bill sends a clear message that this practice is outdated and ethically unacceptable.

 

“I am fully behind the Welsh Labour Government’s decision to introduce this Bill, and from my constituency postbag I know these feelings are shared by Cynon Valley residents”.

The new legislation will make it an offence for an operator of a travelling circus to use, or permit another person to use, a wild animal in a travelling circus.

Anyone convicted of breaking the law would face an unlimited fine in the courts.