Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders, has welcomed the announcement by the First Minister that the Welsh Government would bring forward a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses in the next year.

The First Minister made the announcement in his final legislative statement.

Janet said:

“Having fought long and hard for such a ban – both as part of the Welsh Conservatives’ campaign, and within the Petitions Committee where I have directly demanded of the Cabinet Secretary to bring forward this legislation – I am delighted that this cause has finally been picked up by Welsh Labour.

“The ban will sadly come too late for many, and it is a shame that Labour have left it so long to introduce – given that so many other countries around the world already have such bans in place.

“In December 2017, Scotland became the first country in the UK to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.

“Bolivia and Bosnia, Paraguay and Peru, Costa Rica and Croatia – all have bans in place already – so the Welsh Government has been slow to take this forward.

“Nonetheless, I welcome this announcement – however late it may be – and look forward to ensuring that this legislation, when it is brought forward, is robustly scrutinised to ensure it is fully effective in ending this practice.”

ENDS

Notes

Details of Janet’s scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary during Petitions Committee is here: http://record.assembly.wales/Committee/4759

The First Minister’s legislative programme statement is here: http://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/5000

Photo:

Janet accepting the petition calling for the ban – with other members of the Petitions Committee.