BVA urges government to reassess need for circus animal ban

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on the government to rethink its decision not to impose a ban on the keeping of wild animals by travelling circuses.

In association with various animal rights groups, the organisation has been urging the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to take this step for the sake of the welfare of non-domesticated performing animals.

However, Defra has opted against the idea due to a European legal challenge currently being brought against a similar ban in Austria, choosing instead to implement a new licensing regime.

Harvey Locke, BVA president, stated that this action is insufficient, as no licensing scheme can address the fact that no circuses are able to cater to the accommodation and lifestyle needs of the animals in their care.

"As soon as the Austria situation is resolved, we would urge the government to reconsider and take action to prohibit the exploitation of these majestic animals," he said.

In March 2011, the BVA voiced its disappointment in the Welsh Assembly Government's decision not to push ahead to tighter dog breeding laws, which would have helped to end to practice of puppy farming.