iEnvironment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, Official Report, 6 June 2017, Col 17
Mike Flynn representing the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stated that they did not believe that whether the Bill was based on welfare or ethical principles would impact on the enforceability of it—
"Although the bill is based on ethical principles, because previous committees said that there was not sufficient evidence to base it on welfare, the offence is black and white—if you operate a travelling circus, you are committing an offence, regardless of whether the bill is ethical or welfare based."