Mersey MP backs calls for ban on use of wild animals in UK circuses

• Sep 04, 2014 
• By Rob Pattinson

Motion in House of Commons comes weeks after Jolly's travelling circus visited Wirral

The Big Cat enclosure at Peter Jolly's Circus on land off Saughall Massey Road in Saughall Massey, Wirral

A Merseyside MP is backing calls to ban the use of wild animals from UK circuses – weeks after a travelling show came under fire for its use of lions and tigers in Wirral.

Maria Eagle said she was giving her full support to a motion calling for a ban at the House of Commons by Jim Fitzpatrick MP this week.

It comes after Peter Jolly’s travelling circus set up on Saughall Massie Road, Saughall Massie, in July, advertising live shows featuring dozens of wild and domestic animals.

Jolly’s is one of only two in the country to hold a licence from Defra and has been allowed to have its five big cats since last August.

The Big Cat enclosure at Peter Jolly's Circus, which is currently based on land off Saughall Massey Road in Saughall Massey, Wirral

 Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick, a former Labour Defra minister, launched a new bid to outlaw wild animals in circuses on Wednesday, arguing the “world has moved on.”

Bringing forward a 10 Minute Rule motion in the Commons to prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses, he said the case had been made for a ban and it was “time to bring circuses into the 21st century.”

Mr Fitzpatrick said he hoped the Bill could be passed on a subsequent Friday, to allow time for the measure to be properly scrutinised and pass into legislation by next April.

Following the launch of the new bid this week, Halewood and Garston MP Ms Eagle said: “I fully support the call to ban wild animals from all UK circuses.

Travelling circuses are no place for wild animals, but despite overwhelming calls from the British public, MP’s and respected animal welfare organisations, David Cameron has failed to deliver a ban on wild animals in circuses.

“A draft bill to ban wild animals in circuses currently exists, yet the government failed to include the bill in this year’s Queen Speech. I hope Jim Fizpatrick’s bill is passed but if it isn’t, a future Labour government will ban wild animals in circuses.”

Several campaigners staged protests during Jolly’s stay in Wirral, which ran from July 23 to August 3.

But Anthony Beckwith, of Jolly’s circus, told the ECHO during their stay in Wirral that the animals were all well cared for and denied they suffered from cramped conditions.

 A Defra spokesman said: “We are committed to banning the use of wild animals in circuses and will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. “As we work towards a ban we have a strict system in place to ensure the welfare of all 23 circus animals in England – this includes announced and unannounced inspections, care plans for every animal, regular veterinary inspections and a retirement plan for each animal.”

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