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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many travelling circuses are currently licensed to use wild animals in England; and how many licences for such use have been breached in each of the last five years.

There are currently 19 wild animals licensed by Defra for use by two travelling circuses in England. The 19 wild animals are 6 Reindeer; 4 Camels; 4 Zebras; 2 Racoons; 1 Fox; 1 Macaw; and 1 Zebu.

Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; Camels, Zebra and Reindeer (domestic Reindeer excepted) are classified as dangerous animals.

In each of the last five complete calendar years the following number of breaches (as defined as a significant breach of one of the 17 different licensing conditions or standards assessed at each inspection) were identified in the two licensed circuses:

2014 – 1

2015 – 2

2016 – 0

2017 – 0

2018 – 0

Each licensed circus is inspected at least three times a year, with at least one inspection being unannounced. Where any breaches were found, the circuses were required to undertake remedial actions to address the issues identified.