Activist: By failing to support a ban on the use of wild animals in circus performances, MPs ignoring expert conclusions

RIGA - By failing to support the bill banning the use of wild animals in circus performances, parliament members have ignored the work by experts on amendments to the Animal Protection Law, the chairman of the Latvian animal rights organization Dzivnieku Briviba (Animal Freedom) Aivars Andersons told BNS.

He pointed out that the organization is shocked by today's decision, as this shows that they do not just value the organization, but also the work of the workgroup which includes representatives of state institutions, veterinarians and animal rights NGOs.

''It looks like the committee members did not really listen to the arguments and this was more of an emotional decision,'' he said.

Andersons said that the organization plans to closely follow along with the bill when it is submitted to Saeima.

As reported, the Saeima's Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee today turned down a bill to the Animal Protection Law, which would have banned the use of wild animals in circus performances.

Three committee members supported the bill, one was against, while five members abstained.

A small rally was also held outside of the Saeima building ahead of the committee meeting against the proposed bill.

BNS reported Dzivnieku Briviba had submitted to Saeima a petition, titled For a Humane Circus and signed by more than 26,000 people, in a bid to stop animals being used in circus shows, Andersons previously told BNS.

The animal rights organization's representatives also submitted to Saeima a letter signed by 37 non-governmental organizations and calling on lawmakers to back the draft amendments to the Animal Protection Law that would ban using animals in the circus. The amendments have been drafted by a workgroup that included representatives of state institutions, veterinarians and animal rights NGOs.

In 2015, the Food and Veterinary Service proposed to ban using animals in the circus after talks with animal rights groups and a workgroup was formed to draw up the respective legislative amendments.

Several other European countries have already banned using animals in circus shows. Local circuses in Latvia do not keep their own animals. All wild animals that are used in circus performances in Latvia are brought to Latvia by traveling circus troupes from foreign countries.

Inara Kehre, whom the Culture Ministry has picked to head Riga Circus, has also spoken in support of the circus without animals.