The Government has pledged that wild animals will be banned from being used by travelling circuses by 2020.
According to the Independent, the Government announced the law change after animal welfare advocates campaigned for years for the practice to be outlawed.
Ministers have been promising to implement a ban for five years, but the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed one will come into place by 19 January 2020.
The news was announced at a review of the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012, which was put in place as an interim measure ahead of the ban.
The report read, 'The current Regulations expire on 19 January 2020. The Government does not intend to renew the Regulations as it intends to ensure that a legislative ban is introduced by then. The Regulations will then be allowed to expire.'
The ban has passed in both Ireland and Scotland, and are in discussions in Wales.
There are currently only two circuses in UK that hold wild animal licenses. Between them they apparently have 19 animals', including 'six reindeer, four zebra, three camels, three racoons, a fox, a macaw and a zebu.'
Activists have claimed for years that it is unethical to travel with wild animals, as their welfare needs cannot be met.
Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International, congratulated the government for keeping their promise.
'Having campaigned to stop circus suffering around the world for over 20 years, we're delighted that a ban is finally imminent,' she said. 'Circuses cannot meet the needs of animals in small, mobile accommodation and ADI has repeatedly documented suffering and abuse. We congratulate the UK Government on consigning this outdated act to the past where it belongs.'
It's good to see the Government taking steps towards animal welfare in Britain.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
