MANY people believe that a ban on using wild animals in circuses has been passed and will be implemented.

This is because of how it was covered by the media.

Although MPs voted overwhelmingly for a ban, David Cameron is still saying no. The reason/excuse he is giving is that legal action could be taken.

Austria implemented a ban around five years ago and have had two rounds of legal action taken against it – both times it was thrown out of court because Austria was well within its rights to implement a ban, just as the UK is.

EU legislation states that it is up to each individual member state to decide. The pressure needs to be kept up.

Scientists at Bristol University have done research and their conclusion is that "the needs of wild animals in circuses cannot be met".

What David Cameron could do is to implement a ban as soon as possible and then see what happens should legal action be threatened or taken.

Parliament is now in recess until September, when a big push will be made by the relevant animal organisations.

For anyone who would like to help, the best thing is to write to your MP (details available at the library), saying you want a ban, to ask whether they do and if not, why, and ask that they take up this issue with David Cameron to put pressure on him to change his mind.

They should also remind him that an overwhelming number of MPs voted for a ban.

When writing, please ask for a reply.

For more information, you can contact The Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) who will be pleased to help. Their website is www.captiveanimals.org, e-mail: info@captiveanimals. org, telephone 0845 330 3911.

This may be the closest we get to implementing a ban.

Dawn Spencer

Dovedale Crescent

Belper