The move by the Scottish Parliament has been welcomed by animal welfare charities
A ban on the use of wild animals in circuses has been welcomed.
MSPs voted yesterday to outlaw the use of any wild animal in travelling circuses.
The move has been praised by animal rights charities, who have campaigned for a ban for many years.
OneKind policy advisor Libby Anderson said: “I’m delighted that Scotland has become the first country in the UK to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
“This historic announcement means that never again will we have to see lions, tigers and elephants suffering in cramped trucks, being made to perform tricks purely for people’s entertainment.”
Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International, said: “The public called for a ban, and the Scottish Government and parliament listened, banishing travelling circuses with wild animals forever. Meanwhile, England continues to sit on its hands, and now has a bill which is nearly five years old and hasn’t passed. No more delays, it’s time to stop circus suffering.”
The Scottish Parliament said it wanted to lead the way on the protection of animals, and called for other UK countries to introduce their own bans.
Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “This is an important act that will not only prevent travelling circuses ever showing wild animals in Scotland in the future but will demonstrate to the wider world that we are one of the growing number of countries that no longer condones the use of wild animals in this way.”
