Legislation bans circuses in Ireland from using wild animals from 1 January 2018

Ireland has joined a growing list of countries that ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Many Irish local authorities already do not allow public land to be used by circuses featuring wild animals. Michael Creed, Irish Minister for Agriculture has signed new regulations which bans the use of wild animals in circuses and which will come into effect from 1 January 2018. The Minister said:

"The use of wild animals for entertainment purposes in circuses can no longer be permitted. This is the general view of the public at large and a position I am happy to endorse." The decision to implement the regulations on 1 January 2018 was taken to allow a period for alternative arrangements to be made for the animals in question.

Campaigners have long sought the ban on what they describe as the most archaic and patently inhumane forms of animal exploitation. The spectacle of miserable, confused, wild animals forced to perform routines that they’ve been made to learn through beatings has resulted in calls for a worldwide ban. Scotland has now also introduced a bill to ban using wild animals in circuses which is progressing through the Scottish Parliament. Below is a list of other countries that have also introduced or implemented bans on circuses that use wild animals:

Austria

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Colombia

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cyprus

El Salvador

Greece

Israel

Malta

Mexico

The Netherlands

Paraguay

Peru

Romania

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia