Since November of last year, no less than eight parliamentary questions have been tabled asking when the government will be making the now long-overdue announcement on whether or not they will ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

Conservative Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice, had resorted to the standard response: “We are currently considering the 13,000 or so responses to our consultation on the use of wild animals in circuses before we publish a summary. In the meantime, Lord Henley has been meeting with representatives of welfare groups and the circus industry. An industry body has proposed a self-regulatory system, but no decisions have been made”, despite no meetings having been carried out since July of last year with either industry representatives or welfare organisations.

Today in the House of Commons, Mr Paice stated in answer to a question from ex-welfare minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, that the policy was now “close to completion” and that the reason for the delay was due to the government having to establish what the knock-on effects any policy will have on animals used elsewhere in the entertainment industry.

As Mr Fitzpatrick pointed out, a ban had the support of the public and a great number of members of the House of Commons. He also reminded Mr Paice that it was the anniversary of the closure of the public consultation and the delay in acting upon it was disappointing.

We will keep our supporters updated with any news on the issue.