15.02.2016

Jean today sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urging the UK Government to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

You can read the full text of her letter below.

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Dear Minister,

A number of my constituents in London have written to me expressing their dismay that it remains lawful for wild animals to be used in circuses in the UK. Action on this issue is long overdue and it is unacceptable that the UK Government continues to delay the introduction of legislation – especially given the Conservative Party’s clear and unequivocal commitment in its 2015 manifesto: “we will ban wild animals in circuses”.

As you know, Will Quince, the Conservative MP for Colchester, introduced a Private Member’s Bill last week to the House of Commons under the Ten Minute Rule. However, a similar Private Member’s Bill put forward by Jim Fitzpatrick MP in 2014 failed to progress beyond its first reading.

It is unacceptable to leave this important issue to Private Members’ Bills and I urge the Government to bring forward legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses at the earliest opportunity or adopt the Wild Animals in Circuses (Prohibition) Bill as it stands.

Thank you for your kind consideration of this matter; I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Jean Lambert MEP

Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London

LETTER 2016 02 15th Truss