Gordon Backs Wild Animals Circus Ban
Gordon has today welcomed the announcement by Animal Welfare Minister Jim Fitzpatrick that wild animals are to be banned from UK circuses. The ban follows a consultation to which Mr Marsden submitted his opinion that the practice should be outlawed.
Commenting on the announcement, Gordon said, ‘As a long standing campaigner on Animal Rights Issues, I’m delighted by Jim Fitzpatrick’s announcement that the Government are to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. This is an issue that I know that I and many others in Blackpool feel strongly about as I’ve received many letters and emails in favour of a ban.
I made my representations to the consultation and had written to the Minister previously on this issue, urging him to move forward towards a ban. It’s cruel and inhumane to keep wild animals such as Tigers and Elephants in small confined spaces and then transport them up and down the country. This once again shows that this Government rightly gives priority to Animal Welfare Issues.’
Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister for Animal Welfare said, ‘I agree with the clear view emerging from the huge response to the government’s consultation that keeping wild animals to perform in travelling circuses is no longer acceptable. So, I am minded to pursue a ban on the use of these animals in circuses.’
Gordon has been a consistent campaigner on Animal Rights Issues, from campaigning for the fox hunting ban and against experiments on primates to more recent issues such as The Dogs Trust campaign against Puppy Farms. He has also signed up to Vote Cruelty Free, An Animal Welfare alliance comprising of organisations such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the League against Cruel Sports.
