Wild Animals in Circuses

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General – in the Senedd at 2:37 pm on 14 March 2018.

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Photo of Mr Simon Thomas Mr Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru 2:37, 14 March 2018

(Translated)

Thank you for that response, which doesn't really help in assisting us to understand what the Welsh Government intends to do. Clearly, this section could be used, as it gives Ministers very broad powers to intervene in cases of animal welfare. It is clear too that we could use primary legislation in this place—a Bill and an Act going through this place. Now, in the past, you as counsel general and your predecessor counsels general have generally favoured Bills, because they do give an opportunity to provide some context and to tidy up some other aspects of the law too. But, it's clear that the Assembly wishes to see urgent action in this area. Plaid Cymru is of the view that it would be appropriate to use section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and I would want to know where Government thinking is now on using this section because there is so much other legislation in the pipeline emerging from Brexit and other issues. Isn't now the time for you to give the appropriate legal advice to enable Lesley Griffiths to proceed on this issue?