3. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: The Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:15 pm on 9 July 2019.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 3:15, 9 July 2019

Thank you, Vikki Howells. In relation to the impact on local authorities, of course, there have been conversations with local authorities, because should the Bill become law it will be enforced by local authority inspectors, and they certainly were part of the consultation we had. There will be minimal impact on local authorities. I think breaches are unlikely to arise often, if at all, and I do expect travelling circuses to comply with a ban, because it will be very obvious if they're not doing so. Certainly, if the UK Government delivers on its commitment to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in England, there will be nowhere in Great Britain where wild animals will be able to be used in travelling circuses. So, certainly, the discussions that my officials had with local authorities were that it wouldn't constitute any additional cost, for instance, and it would just be conducted alongside existing enforcement activities, which are already being carried out in respect of the two circuses, one of which you named. In relation to the holograms, that's not something that I'd considered. I suppose it depends what the holograms depict the animals doing. I would be very interested in having a look at that, but certainly, it's something that we can look at as the Bill progresses through the Assembly. I think you're right about promoting animal tourist attractions. Of course, the majority of animal tourist attractions—you referred to and I heard you mention Folly Farm—are, again, regulated, they're legislated for and we should encourage people to go to be able to see animals at very close quarters.