Skip to main content
Menu

Wild Animals in Circuses (No.2) Bill: third reading

24 July 2019

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

The Wild Animals in Circuses (No.2) Bill had its third reading, a chance to 'tidy up' the bill and make changes, in the Lords on Tuesday 23 July.

No changes were made to the bill ahead of third reading.

As both Houses have agreed on the text of the bill, it now awaits Royal Assent, when the bill will become an Act of Parliament (law).

Royal Assent is scheduled for Wednesday 24 July.

Lords report stage: Wednesday 17 July

Members discussed the insertion of a new clause which would require the government to report on the new law by 20 November 2019. The suggested report would have been to provide guidance on the scope of the offences under the new law and the significance of the bill's focus on travelling circuses.

Lords committee stage: Wednesday 3 July

The committee stage of this bill took place in Grand Committee, a room outside the Lords chamber. In Grand Committee, any member can take part and decisions on amendments can be made, but no votes can take place.

Members discussed the meaning of the term 'travelling circus'.

Lords second reading: Wednesday 19 June

Members discussed the definition of the term 'wild animal', the use of domesticated animals and animal welfare.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative), the bill's sponsor in the Lords and parliamentary under-secretary in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, opened the debate on the bill and responded on behalf of the government.

Wild Animal in Circuses (No.2) Bill summary

This bill will aim to prohibit the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.

Further information

Image: PA