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 3:17 pm on 9 July 2019.

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Photo of Siân Gwenllian Siân Gwenllian Plaid Cymru 3:17, 9 July 2019

(Translated)

I too welcome this statement from the Minister, and welcome the Bill, too. It is a shame that it has taken so long for the Government to act. It’s a full 12 months since the former First Minister stated that the Government would support a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, but better late than never. I am pleased that Wales, at last, is catching up with Scotland and England. Many of the questions that I wanted to ask have already been asked and answered, but I will just conclude by saying this: this kind of political change wouldn’t be possible without campaigners, and one campaigner that’s been crucial to all of this is Linda Joyce-Jones from Nantlle, near Caernarfon in my constituency. She has been campaigning for this change in the legislation over many years. She did introduce a petition to the Assembly in February 2017, calling for a ban, and she has lobbied each and every one of us, I think. Everyone here will have met Linda at some point. So, will you join with me in thanking her for her work and to the other campaigners who have worked so hard for this change? The fact that there have been 6,500 responses and the vast majority in favour of the legislation speaks volumes, I think. It is a clear sign of the change of attitude among the public, and campaigners such as Linda have succeeded incredibly in changing public opinion. We should congratulate them, and I hope you will join me in doing that.