Wild Animals in Circuses

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:49 pm on 16 January 2018.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 1:49, 16 January 2018

I thank you for that answer, First Minister. I think the whole tenor of my question leads you to believe that I think that we ought to ban wild animals from use in circuses, and I look forward to us bringing that forward. It is the case, of course, that England have announced that they're moving in this direction. They've only announced—let's not get carried away—a move in this direction, but at the same time, Scotland have actually moved in this direction. So, I do urge the Government to send a crystal clear message to travelling circuses—because we don't have any resident circuses in Wales—that if they have wild animals on board, they are not welcome in Wales and it's an outdated practice that needs to be stopped. So, whilst we're going through the process—and I welcome the fact that we are making a move in this direction—at the same time I hope we'll send that message in the interim.