Hilary Benn MP

WORKING HARD FOR LEEDS CENTRAL

Benn condemns Government commitment to animal welfare

Hilary Benn, Labour’s Animal Welfare spokesperson, has today cast doubt on the Coalition Government’s commitment to animal welfare, highlighting their backtracking on the protection of gamebirds and their commitment to a vote on the hunting ban.

Now new information has come to light which shows the Government is putting at risk the planned ban on wild animals in circuses.

Hilary Benn said:

“The sight of elephants, lions and other wild animals being used in circuses reflects badly on our civilised society and on every single one of us. That’s why Labour planned to ban them from circuses – supported with 94% of people.

“But this new Conservative / Lib Dem coalition Government now appears to be sitting on its hands. Instead it should be following through on the work Labour had done and introducing a straightforward and simple ban on the last few remaining animals being kept by circuses.

“This is not acceptable. And it is an indictment of the Conservative’s and Lib Dem’s commitment to animal welfare.”

Hilary Benn has written to Caroline Spelman, the Secretary of State for Environement, Food and Rural Affairs. His letter reads:

I see from Jim Paice’s written answer of 22 June that you are considering further what action, if any, to take on banning wild animals in circuses.

As you will know, 94% of respondents to the consultation thought an outright ban was the right way to proceed. In the light of this, Jim Fitzpatrick had said that he was minded to bring forward a full ban, and to come forward with more details before the Summer Recess. This view is shared by the RSPCA and other NGOs.

I am now concerned that you may decide not to proceed with a ban. If this were to be the case, along with the Coalition Government’s commitment to a vote on whether to bring back hunting with dogs and the recent withdrawal of the code of practice on gamebirds, this would send a pretty clear message about the new Government’s lack of interest in animal welfare.

Given the overwhelming results of the public consultation, I would urge you to implement a ban.

In the light of the great public interest in this matter, I am making this letter available to our Parliamentary colleagues and others.

I look forward to hearing from you.