Defra publishes regulations for circus animal licensing scheme

The Government has laid new licensing regulations that will mean circuses wanting to use wild animals in performances will need a licence.

The regulations, which are subject to Parliamentary approval, will form part of a licensing scheme that will operate until ministers introduce a ban.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced in March this year that the Government intended to introduce a complete ban.

On the interim scheme, Defra said: “To obtain a licence, circus owners will have to fulfil strict welfare requirements, such as only allowing access to wild animals to people with appropriate knowledge and skills and keeping the animals in an appropriate environment.”

It added that more information about how and when circus owners should apply for these licences would be made available shortly.

The new scheme will be set up through powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.