This petition calls for a change in the law to prohibit circuses with animals from obtaining an entertainment licence which they need in order to operate.

This would effectively mean that they could not put on a show that used animals in its acts.

The Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland are currently consulting on a new licencing regime with a consultation deadline of the 26th June and with your support, we can work together to make a difference and end the practice of using animals in a circus.

Green Party Northern Ireland leader Steven Agnew MLA is prepared to present this petition to the Northern Ireland Assembly to demonstrate the strength of feeling from the public on this issue.

Circus has a long tradition but no longer should it be acceptable to haul animals, sometimes endangered species such as tigers, around as a form of entertainment.

Our understanding of animal welfare now means that we know what they need in order to thrive  The welfare needs of wild animals simply cannot be met in the environment of a travelling circus.

From being housed in trucks of a restricted size to being kept in small temporary enclosures, they are unable to express natural behaviours.  Veterinary advice shows that loading and transporting can be stressful, even for experienced animals.

The majority of the public have consistently expressed a preference to end the practice.  A 2010 Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) report showed that 94 per cent of people surveyed favoured a ban on using animals in cicuses, including representatives from the zoo and veterinary professions.

In Northern Ireland we have the opportunity to lead the way in banning wild animals in circuses.

Please sign this petition to call on Minister for the Environment to make this a priority in his forthcoming entertainment licencing reform.