VICTORY: MPs support a ban on wild animals in the circus!

The RSPCA are delighted that after over a decade of campaigning, MPs have listened to the public and last night unanimously backed a motion in the House of Commons to ban wild animals from travelling circuses in the UK.

Following the government's complete u-turn last month, on the issue of whether wild animals are to be banned in circuses, Mark Pritchard MP, Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Bob Russell MP called for a debate to call on the government to introduce a ban under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

After last night’s lively debate, MPs unanimously voted in favour of an outright ban on wild animals in circuses. It will now be very difficult for the government to ignore the majority of the public and the majority of MPs.

There are just 39 wild animals remaining in three UK circuses. These include zebras, lions, snakes, tigers, camels, a kangaroo and crocodiles. Scientific research has shown that travelling circus life is likely to have a very harmful effect on animal welfare for many species. Regular transport, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance, loud noises and crowds of people are all typical and often unavoidable realities for the animals. We hope that this vote is the start of a new era for the tigers, lions and other majestic animals forced to endure circus life, whose welfare needs have been ignored for far too long.”

What next?

If you’re MP was one of those who attended or spoke at the debate, please take the time to thank them for their commitment to the welfare of wild animals in circuses. You can find your MPs contact details via www.writetothem.com or look up their twitter username at www.tweetminster.com.

A full list of those MPs who spoke in support of the ban below:

Mark Pritchard, The Wrekin, Conservative
Mr Don Foster, Bath, Liberal Democrat
Jim Fitzpatrick, Poplar and Limehouse, Labour
Mr John Leech, Manchester/Withington, Liberal Democrat
Caroline Lucas, Brighton and Hove, Green Party
Stephen Phillips, Sleaford and North Hykeham, Conservative
Jim Dowd, Lewisham West and Penge, Labour
Mr Chuka Umunna, Streatham, Labour
Dr Julian Huppert, Cambridge, Liberal Democrat
Mr Dave Watts, St Helens North, Labour
Tracey Crouch, Chatham and Aylesford, Conservative
Mr Matthew Offord, Hendon, Conservative
Andrew Gwynne, Denton and Reddish, Labour
Nia Griffith, Llanelli, Labour
Angela Smith, Penistone & Stocksbridge, Labour
Bob Stewart, Beckenham, Conservative
Mr Nigel Dodds, Belfast North, DUP
Zac Goldsmith, Richmond Park, Conservative
Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon, Conservative
Mr Kevan Jones, North Durham, Labour
Cathy Jamieson, Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour/Co-op
Sheila Gilmore, Edinburgh East, Labour
Naomi Long, Belfast East, Alliance
Sheryll Murray, South East Cornwall, Conservative
Nic Dakin, Scunthorpe, Labour
Ian Mearns, Gateshead, Labour
Bob Blackman, Harrow East, Conservative
Bob Russell, Colchester, Liberal Democrat
Annette Brooke, Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat
Mark Reckless, Rochester and Strood, Conservative
Tessa Munt, Wells,  Liberal Democrat
Gavin Shuker, Luton South, Labour/Co-op
Paul Uppal, Wolverhampton South West, Conservative
Martin Horwood, Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat
Sadiq Khan, Tooting, Labour
Andrew Bingham, High Peak, Conservativ