Star of seven Bond films, Sir Roger Moore, has joined forces with Imelda Staunton to back Animal Defenders International’s (ADI) Stop Circus Suffering campaign bywriting to the Queen urging her to include a commitment to a wild animal circus ban in her speech at the state opening of Parliament on June 4.

Sir Roger and Imelda Staunton’s letter raises concerns that, despite Government promises, action to bring a ban on wild animals in circuses into law has been slow.

Last month, David Cameron reaffirmed his commitment to ban wild animal acts to an ADI delegation headed by former Conservative MEP and conservationist Stanley Johnson, and social justice campaigner Peter Tatchell, when they delivered a letter to the Prime Minister signed by 75 celebrities and politicians.

ADI chief executive Jan Creamer said: “I am delighted Sir Roger Moore and Imelda Staunton are urging the Queen to support the promised ban on wild animals in circuses, which has support from the public and politicians alike.

“The Government has promised a ban and we want to see it happen. Further delays will result in continued animal suffering.”

The Government announced in March 2012 its intention to introduce legislation to prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses and last month ADI secured a commitment from the Prime Minister that a ban would be passed.

However, following the publication of the Draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill last April, ADI claims little progress has been made to bring this legislation into law, despite an implementation date of December 2015 being proposed in the bill.
Prime Minister receives letter signed by 75 celebrities and commits to ban wild animals in circuses http://www.ad-international.org/media_centre/go.php?id=3609&si=12

History of the ADI campaign to end the use of wild animals in UK circuses http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=1370&ssi=10

Wild Animals in UK Circuses: Questions & Answers http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=1484&ssi=10

ADI exposé of Anne the elephant at Bobby Roberts Super Circus http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=2075&ssi=10

Peter Tatchell’s Huffington Post blog on wild circus animals 
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-g-tatchell/wild-animals-circsuses-ban-david-cameron_b_5113198.html

Dods: Queen’s Speech 2014: Speculation and Insight p8-9 http://bit.ly/ROuTrd