Graham Watson MEP
Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for South West England and Gibraltar
A local champion with an international reputation
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Wells MP Joins Forces With Euro-MP To Tackle Circus Animal Welfare
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Published on Tuesday 31st January 2012
MP for Wells Tessa Munt and Lib Dem MEP for South West England Sir Graham Watson have joined forces to raise awareness of Tessa's campaign to ban wild animals from performing in circus acts across the United Kingdom.
Following on from a successful court case in Austria in which an attempt to overturn a recent ban on circus animals was thrown out, Tessa and Graham are now demanding that the UK Government bans the practice.
Commenting, Tessa said, "Entertainment is no excuse for this barbaric treatment of wild animals in circuses. Other European countries already have a ban. This court decision opens the way for the UK Government to do the right thing and move swiftly towards a ban. I asked the following question in Parliament on January 16th :
'To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the consequences of the upholding of the ban on the use of wild animals in circuses by the Austrian Constitutional Court for her Department's progress towards the introduction of such a ban in the UK.'
I am awaiting a reply."
Sir Graham tabled a Parliamentary Question of his own to the Commission, with its response confirming that such a ban would have to be implemented at national level.
Sir Graham commented, ''Whilst the European Union does not have the power to enforce a blanket ban on wild animals performing in circuses, it can legislate to ensure businesses and animal owners carry out high standards of animal welfare including keeping animals in good conditions, feeding and watering them regularly."
''Thousands of people every year enjoy the circus and I am certain that nobody would wish to attend knowing that they are contributing to the further degradation and mistreatment of animals."
'I will continue to work with Tessa in the UK and in Brussels to press for national governments to tighten up their legislation and bring abusers of animals to justice.''
ENDS