BVA welcomes ban on wild animals in travelling circuses

The British Veterinary Association warmly welcomes today’s (1 May) announcement that the use of wild animals in travelling circuses will be banned in England from January 2020.

The Wild Animals in Circuses Bill, which was revealed by Environment Secretary, Michael Gove will mean that the remaining animals used for performances, which include reindeer, zebra and camels, will no longer be allowed to be used as part of any travelling circus in the country.

BVA has long campaigned for an end to the use of wild animals in circuses and is delighted that the government is making good on its promises. The announcement follows a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland in 2017.

Simon Doherty, BVA President, said:

“We are delighted to see this coming into law following a long and sustained campaign and a huge groundswell of public support. This is an outdated practice where the welfare needs of non-domesticated, wild animals cannot be met in terms of housing or expressing normal behaviour.

“While this issue may not affect a great number of individual animals, a ban is emblematic of how we should be treating animals in the modern world.”