Government Dept; Defra Performing-Animals In Circus Licencing

Animals in Circus and DEFRA
We set Artistes United for you to appreciate and promote the greatest of acts and performers in all areas. A short note concerning animal management. The circus industry section (that used to be self governing) has now passed total control or management for the use or touring of animals to the government department for animal welfare – DEFRA.

The statement below is from the webpages of, The Association of Circus Proprietors. This is the only statement concerning the issue of performing animals. The association is the main body to deal with national authorites for circus (for all issues).

‘There are no members of the A.C.P. currently using non domestic animals in their shows. The A.C.P. policy is that it is for individual members to decide whether they wish to use animals, provided that the best standards of animal welfare and husbandry supported by strict veterinary inspections can be illustrated. The A.C.P. welcomes the Government’s recently introduced circus animal inspection scheme but considers that the requirements may not be sufficiently strict or, in parts, are illogical and has made representations to that effect. The A.C.P. has acknowledged that there are certain species of wild or exotic animals which are inappropriate for use in a travelling circus’.

Artistes United understand that Defra are returning to the principles of the old Act of Parliament for a requirement that covers all areas of entertainment including films and televison concerning performing animal welfare.