The Welsh Government introduced the Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill to the Assembly in July 2019. The Bill’s objective is to prohibit the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in Wales on ethical grounds.
The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs (CCERA) Committee’s consideration of the Bill at Stage 1 highlighted the complexity of the issues. The Committee did not come to a unanimous view on whether the Bill should proceed. The Bill’s Stage 1 debate was held on 7 January 2020 where the Assembly agreed the general principles of the Bill. Stage 2 proceedings took place in the CCERA Committee session on 5 February 2020. None of the tabled amendments were agreed by the Committee.
Stage 3 commenced on 6 February and the Assembly is due to debate the Stage 3 amendments on 17 March.
This Bill Summary has been prepared ahead of the debate and provides background to the issues, a summary of the Bill, stakeholders’ responses and the Assembly Committees’ views, recommendations and amendments to date.
Read the briefing here: Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill (PDF, 1,378KB)
Article by Katy Orford, Senedd Research, National Assembly for Wales
