Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Official Report 575KB pdf

Wild Animals in Circuses (No 2) Bill

The next item is consideration of a legislative consent memorandum on the Wild Animals in Circuses (No 2) Bill, which is a UK Parliament bill. Do members have any comments?

I have a tiny comment. I very much welcome the LCM. Although we have no travelling circuses in Scotland, my constituency has been the home of many wild animals overwintering. This proposed change in the regulations would finally close off that particular abuse of wild animals. Overall, I very much welcome it.

I hope that the committee will reflect on this and that the Scottish Government will consider the issue, as it has made commitments on animal welfare, static circuses and other ways of properly protecting wild animals.

I echo Stewart Stevenson’s comments. When the committee considered the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill, some of us expressed concerns that there might still be potential for certain types of wild animal to be kept and to perform elsewhere. The LCM closes that loophole.

Do we agree that no further action is required and that we are content with the LCM as it stands?

Members indicated agreement.

We will report on that basis. Are members content to delegate the final sign-off on the LCM report to me?

Members indicated agreement.