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 3:21 pm on 9 July 2019.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 3:21, 9 July 2019

Thank you very much for those questions. I hope I've answered very concisely around how the new animal exhibits licensing scheme that I'll be bringing forward next year, following consultation, will ensure that there are no loopholes and that all—pardon the pun—animals are captured in that. I have had discussions with Lord Gardiner who is the UK Government Minister in relation to other licensing for circuses, and, again, that's something I think we can look at in other pieces of legislation to ensure every animal is covered by legislation and/or regulations.

I absolutely agree with you around fox hunting. It's just appalling, and this Government is totally opposed to fox hunting.

We will be joining a growing list of countries, and as I said in my original statement, if we didn't bring this Bill forward, we would be the only country in Great Britain that would allow the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, and I did not want Wales to become a sanctuary for travelling circuses in that way.