ADI: Peru moves closer to animal circus ban

Thursday, 5 March 2009 12:00 AM

Animal Defenders International (ADI) is delighted that a ban on the use of animals in circuses is within reach in Peru.

A bill proposing a ban has passed through its first debate in the Congress.

It's a major victory for ADI, after an intensive lobbying campaign involving other Peruvian animal protection groups and supportive cross-party politicians. The unique collaboration followed the successful launch of the report "Science on Suffering" in the Peruvian Congress in 2008.

None of the politicians in the Peruvian Congress voted against the bill when it was debated and approved by the Agrarian Committee. Following the debate, the Commission decided to amend the National Animal Protection Law by adding an article banning the use of animals in circuses.

This positive step forward comes very soon after a similar debate in the Bolivian Congress, which also passed a move to ban animals in circuses.

The bill will soon be discussed in the full parliament.

ADI Chief Executive, Jan Creamer, says "The video and photographic evidence that we collected in Peru, among other places, shows clearly how animals suffer and are abused in circuses. We have received considerable support from the Peruvian people, and now the Peruvian Congress has set the highest positive example for South America, which the rest of the world now needs to follow."

______________________________ENDS___________________________________

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