Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the steps the Government is taking to improve the welfare of animals in circuses.

The welfare of wild animals in travelling circuses in England is protected by the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012. The 2012 Regulations have recently been reviewed by Defra. The review found that the Regulations have been successful in promoting and monitoring high welfare standards for wild animals in travelling circuses in England. The Regulations will expire on 19 January 2020. The Government does not intend to renew the Regulations as it intends to ensure that a legislative ban is introduced by then.

The welfare of other animals in circuses is covered by new regulations laid in Parliament on 8 February that will replace existing laws on performing animals. The new regulations will mean circuses will need to adhere to strict statutory minimum animal welfare standards, which will be enforced by local authorities. The new regulations will come into force on 1 October.