Going wild on MP's stance

31 December 2009

MP Andrew Rosindell

THE claws were out as activists slammed Romford MP Andrew Rosindell for refusing to back a proposal banning wild animals in circuses.

The Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) claimed the Shadow Animal Welfare Minister was prejudiced by his links to the Great British Circus - which is one of the last in the country to exhibit animals and the only one with lions and tigers.

The circus set up its big top in Romford in October and Mr Rosindell was a well-known advocate, even writing a glowing foreword in its brochure.

This week the Government launched a consultation on wild animals in travelling circuses, putting three options on the table. They are:

l A complete ban on wild animals in circuses.

l Voluntary self-regulation of wild animals in circuses.

l Compulsory statutory regulation of wild animals in circuses.

Mr Rosindell threw his support behind option two - voluntary self-regulation - drawing condemnation from CAPS.

He said: "If they go for that option it will still be to very high standards and subject to reviews. It's far better than the Government having to intervene all the time or banning animals altogether.

"I'm an animal-lover and I instinctively thought 'oh animals in cages aren't very good,' but when I looked into it for myself I changed my opinion. Some of these are tenth generation tigers and they're almost like pets. They've become domesticated. I don't see any cruelty in it."

When asked about a trainer at GBC who was secretly filmed beating an elephant in August, Mr Rosindell said: "That was a disgusting episode and I'm glad the GBC dismissed the trainers. But those trainers weren't actually from the GBC - they were an outside act brought in from Germany."

A CAPS spokesman said: "After 52 years of campaigning this is the closest we have ever got to a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. Public opinion is overwhelmingly supportive of a ban and 96 MPs have so far signed a Commons motion backing a ban.

"This is the 21st century yet we still have animals being moved all over the UK, chained or caged, beaten and made to perform tricks. It is time this cruelty ended.

"Regulation, whether by circuses themselves or statutory regulation, is not acceptable and would simply allow animal suffering for entertainment to continue. It would become a financial strain and a logistical nightmare for those responsible for enforcing it."

It is said there are currently 38 wild animals being used in four travelling circuses across England.

The consultation closes on March 15. To submit your views go to:www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/circus-wild-animals/index.htm