Circuses: Wild Animals Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Borwick
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Circuses: Wild Animals
Lord Borwick Excerpts(7 years, 9 months ago)
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Lord Gardiner of Kimble
My Lords, I am not in a position to say precisely, but I would like to take one issue up. One of the reasons we introduced the licensing scheme was to ensure the welfare of the animals. I have seen the conditions of the welfare scheme associated with the licensing, which is rigorous and requires inspections by vets and inspectors at least four times a year. The welfare standards of these animals—six reindeer, three camels, three zebras, one fox, a macaw, a racoon and a zebu—are high. On ethical grounds, this situation should be prohibited.
Lord Borwick (Con)
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that such legislation might obstruct the ability of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to pull a rabbit out of a hat next week?
Lord Gardiner of Kimble
I am afraid my noble friend is a bit too fast for me there. The truth is that this is important legislation that we wish to put forward, but I am confident that the welfare elements, which are so important, are well-provided for in the licensing scheme.