Memorandum submitted by Equity
Equity is the trade union representing nearly
37,000 performers and other creative personnel. We represent a
significant number of performers who work for, or own, circuses
and the Bill will have a direct impact on how they operate. Our
comments will therefore be restricted to the section of the Bill
that will effect our members.
We understand that the Animal Welfare Bill is
an enabling Bill that will allow Government to introduce a series
of guidance for different sectors that use animals. The guidance
for performing animals is expected to be introduced in 2009. We
note that this guidance will seek to licence or register companies
who provide animals for other forms of entertainment (TV, film,
theatre and promotional work). Equity notes that the Association
of Circus Proprietors already operates a voluntary code of practice
for its members regarding the use of animals, and that this is
likely to minimise the impact of any new regulatory regime.
Having consulted with those Equity members who
are likely to be effected by these changes, we would support the
introduction of guidance for the sector and any changes to require
training for animal handlers. With regard to the latter, we would
also welcome provisions allowing existing trainers to be protected
by "grandfather rights".
However, we would argue against any provisions
within the Bill that would allow the full removal of performing
animals from circus or other forms of entertainment without a
full consultation with the industry after an open public review
of the new regulatory system. It would be too easy for Government,
under the Bill as currently drafted, to respond to individual
instants that do not reflect the industry treatment of animals
as a whole with changes that will alter the sector irrevocably.
We would therefore welcome the Select Committee's commitment to
push Government for a statement that it is not their intention
to completely ban the use of animals in the entertainment sector.
Additionally, we would want to be involved in any consultations
on the content of the new guidance.
Finally, Equity would like to see a neutral
statutory body in charge of prosecuting cases under any new regulations,
rather than a politically motivated organisation such as the RSPCA.
We believe that fair judgement of complaints can only truly be
assessed by a body with no pre-disposed opinions. We hope that
this independent body would also assist the fair interpretation
of the phrase "likely to cause suffering". This phrase
could potentially be used in its widest sense to disadvantage
those working in the entertainment sector with animals, if it
were deemed necessary by a non-independent body.
25 August 2004
| 
