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 3:26 pm on 9 July 2019.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 3:26, 9 July 2019

Thank you, Joyce Watson. You ask about the meaning or definition of a wild animal. It's similar to the interpretation of a wild animal in the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. So, this avoids the situation where the same species could be considered wild in a zoo but then domesticated when kept in a circus. So, that's the legal definition that we are using. But you are quite right. I remember in my discussion with Andrew R.T. Davies, we were talking about reindeer, which people perhaps wouldn't think immediately of as a wild animal, but they are. I'm sure that we are all aware that, sometimes, reindeer are used—obviously at Christmastime—in different ways, in garden centres or parades. They would then be covered in the animal exhibit licensing scheme. That's why it's so important to get that scheme up and running too. And I absolutely agree with what you are saying about birds of prey. We need to ensure that the consultation specifically mentions that.

You ask about how long licences last. Certainly, the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 requires anyone who trains or exhibits animals to register with a local authority, but it is a lifetime registration. So, there's no specific inspection requirement. As such, it's unlikely that the welfare standards of an animal would be regularly assessed or checked. So, this is what I mean when I say that we need make sure that we close loopholes. I think this is an area where there is perhaps a loophole that does need closing. So, I very much look forward to going out to consultation on the scheme. As I said in my answer to Llyr, I hope to bring it forward early next year.