MEPs call for common EU circus policy (Send in the Clowns)

MEPs call for common EU circus policy 12.10.2005 - 17:38 CET | By Lucia Kubosova EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The European parliament is set to vote on a report calling for standardised rules for circuses performing across the continent.

MEPs suggest circuses should be referred to as part of Europe's cultural heritage, but they disagree on whether they should include presentation of animals or not.

The report contemplating the "new challenges for the circus as part of European culture" is to be voted on Thursday (13 October).

It covers three main areas: the education of children from travelling communities, health and safety standards and visa or work permit rules for artists from third countries, like Russia, Mongolia or China.

EU circus policy? The parliamentary rapporteur, German centre-right MEP Doris Pack, argues the fact that circuses are generally mobile "highlights the need to look at their situation from a European point of view and consider EU measures in this area".

According to Arie Oudenes, from the European Circus Association (ECA), most circus companies represented in ECA have been in favour of putting more pressure upon member states to harmonise their rules, to simplify the movement of circuses from one country to another.

"It is very complicated for them to follow, say, different rules on tent quality or visa and work permits when moving from France, through Germany to the Netherlands, which is often the case", he said.

However, he admitted some companies fear the new rules could be stricter than the average standards in most countries "for which none of us are ready".

At the same time, circus owners from some member states, mainly Britain, argue they prefer national law-making in this area, as they have managed to protect their interests in all the controversial issues, including work permits for foreign artists.

With or without animals? The report originally included reference to animal welfare measures, which Green MEPs tried to make stricter than those suggested by Mrs Pack.

In a bid to avoid a debate - which would in any case be outside the scope of the education and culture parliamentary committee - its MEPs voted down all references to animal welfare.

However, the document still contains a clause, suggesting "it would be desirable for it to be recognised that the classical circus, including the presentation of animals, forms part of Europe's culture".

According to Karen Bentolila from the Green group, its MEPs will try to water down this suggestion in a split vote tomorrow.

Mr Oudenes from ECA argues that the wording surrounding this issue will be crucial for traditional circuses.

"If we have a clear recognition by the European Parliament that 'classical circus' does include shows with animals, our position in some states will be much stronger when there is an initiative at national level to ban them", he suggested.

At the moment, Austria does not allow circuses to use any wild animals, while the Scandinavian countries ban some kinds of animals, such as lions and tigers.

Well, I think that all circus elephants should have toys to play with. If pigs get to have toys, according the EU regulations, then elephants should have toys too.

And what about the rights of tigers? Should trainers be allowed to brandish four-legged chairs at them? At the very least, the chairs should have anatomically correct five-legged chairs, with ergonomic backs.

Traveling Shows and Circuses [USA]

Performing animals such as elephants, lions, tigers, bears, and zebras endure years of physical and psychological suffering in traveling acts — all for the amusement of audiences who remain ignorant of the animals’ natural behavior. Animals used in circuses and other performing acts may travel thousands of miles each year, often without water, in railroad cars or trucks that may lack appropriate air conditioning or heat. Elephants may be forced to stand in their own excrement, chained to a post for hours at a time. To date, no state has passed legislation prohibiting animal circuses or specific species from performing within its borders. In recent years, there have been several attempts to prohibit specific animals from performing within a state. Fifteen states do regulate some aspects of the display of captive wild animals, such as photo opportunities, public contact with animals, or notification requirements. And more than twenty-five cities and counties have passed ordinances prohibiting the display of exotic animals in traveling shows or circuses.

API has introduced traveling show and circus legislation in Maine and Massachusetts as well as in a number of cities and counties across the United States. We have summarized the state and local laws related to the exhibition of exotic animals and have crafted model language that can be used in your state.

We not only have tree huggers, enviro-weenies, now we have wildebeast muggers. The API also pushes for legislation in various states for forbidding keeping "exotic" pets, such as, lions, tigers, bears, alligators and venonmous snakes. Why not? A wild pussy cat doesn't hurt anyone.

Two words.

Clown standards.

Clown Rulebook, EU 140-EU( rev. 10/05 ) For example, Sub-section 5-5, entitled, "Clown Shoes, Length and Width. Number of Lace Holes. "No authorized clown shoe, shall have width such that the safe use of Clown Car ( see chapter 44 ) Break and Acceleration peddles will be ....

Ah, the joys of universal edjumakation. So much time, so little work....what to do...what to do?

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