I WRITE in response to Pat Wickham's letter Proven Case For An Outright Ban regarding the use of wild animals in British circuses.

Ms Wickham is correct in stating that Defra is currently holding a public consultation on the use of wild animals performing in British touring circuses.

However, which members of the British public are Defra actually consulting? Have you been asked?

Despite a closing date of March 15, the only people who are aware of this consultation are the British circus industry and its supporters and the opposing Animal Rights groups and their supporters.

How can Defra call this public consultation?

In 2006, Ben Bradshaw, the then minister, said under the new Animal Welfare Bill, he would ban the use of certain non-domestic species in touring circuses only, but only if their welfare needs could not be met in a touring circus environment.

Hence, the Circus Working Group was set up. This comprised three experts to represent UK circuses and three experts to represent the opposing animal welfare lobby. After a lengthy study period, which included numerous visits, detailed documents and evidence from both sides of the argument, the Radford report concluded that the welfare needs of animals currently working in UK circuses was being met and was no more inferior to that of the welfare of animals within other animal husbandry systems in the UK.

Based on this information, circuses are able to show the British public who may be concerned about performing animals that they are perfectly capable of looking after their animal partners and making sure they are perfectly happy, healthy and enjoy a good and active lifestyle.

Defra was happy that the required welfare needs were being met in British circuses. This is why there was no ban on non-domesticated species touring with circuses in this country.

How could Defra have said it was happy with the report findings and then still ban it, just because someone else disagrees with your report results?

The opposing animal rights groups were, of course, not happy with this result. And since then groups, including the RSPCA, ADI and CAPS and their supporters, have hounded the Government to change the policy. Hence the Government/Defra have caved in to their constant pleas and are now disregarding the Circus Working Group's 18-month study.

I would disagree with Pat Wickham's comment about constant travel. Circuses move between venues usually once a week, for around 36 weeks of the year, normally moving around 40-60 miles. The Great British Circus, for example, usually stays two or three weeks in a town. So how can circuses be constantly travelling?

Circus animals generally spend less time travelling per year, than say police dogs and horses or race horses.

I personally believe animals should be allowed to entertain in British circuses. I don't believe the public should be fed lies or mistruths.

Don't let the minority killjoys dictate to the majority.

Andrew Lewis, King Edward Street, Scunthorpe.

The Telegraph says

An extremely controversial subject, which provokes passionate views on either side and a topic which, like hunting, will continue to rage.