Assembly to debate a ban on circuses
THE Assembly will debate a potential ban on animal circuses as part of the Agriculture Minister's review of welfare legislation.
East Belfast councillor and MLA Robin Newton claimed that there will be 50 wild animals in circuses across Northern Ireland as the debate in the Assembly takes place on Monday.
"The state of the animal welfare system in Northern Ireland is simply unacceptable; this is particularly true of the travelling animal circuses," he said.
"Animals such as lions, rhinos, hippos, and elephants are shipped from across the seas on long gruelling journeys in beast wagons, usually from Italy, France and Germany.
"These once proud wild animals are forced to perform difficult and degrading tricks which are not part of their natural behaviour."
He applauded Belfast City Council for taking a stand against the "cruel treatment" by stopping animal circuses performing on council property.
Mr Newton said the current animal welfare legislation in Northern Ireland is over 30 years old and with the matter now being debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly, he believes it is time for action.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
