Consultation starts: 1 March 2012
Consultation closes: 25 April 2012
Summary
Defra is seeking views on a proposed licensing scheme that would promote and safeguard the welfare of wild animals in travelling circuses in England. Under the proposals, operators of a travelling circus that failed to safeguard the welfare of their animals would face enforcement action.
The licensing scheme would be introduced by regulations made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The regulations will require standards of animal welfare to be met. The welfare standards would be set as licence conditions. A licence condition is something that must be met by the holder of the licence. Enforcement action could arise from a person’s failure to hold a valid licence where one is required, or failure to comply with a licence condition where a licence is held. Possible enforcement action includes criminal prosecution and the suspension of licences.
Please note that this consultation is not seeking views on a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.
How to Respond
Anyone may reply to this consultation. Defra would like to hear from anyone with an interest, including people working in or with the circus industry, animal welfare organisations and the general public.
You can complete the survey on-line at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/circusanimals
This survey does not collect any personal data.
Alternatively, you may download the Microsoft Excel pro-forma below and e-mail your response to [email protected]
Please note that if you are responding on behalf of an organisation (such as a business, trade association, charity or non-governmental organisation) that you should reply using the Excel pro-forma so that you can include the name of your organisation and enable us to validate your response.
You may also send your comments, or any requests for copies of the documents, by post to:
Circus Animal Consultation
Animal Welfare Division
8B LMB
c/o 17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Any comments on the proposals in this consultation document should be sent by 25 April 2012.
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