Circus ban decision is on hold

A decision on whether circuses featuring live animals will be banned from Powys County Council land has been deferred.

The council's licensing committee had been expected to recommend a ban at a meeting held yesterday at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells.

But members agreed to defer a decision until the committee's next meeting later this year after receiving additional information.

Lee Evans, council spokesman, said: "They will now consider the additional information and discuss the matter at the next licensing committee meeting."

Sue King, the council's animal health officer, has recommended the committee prohibits use of council land for circuses with animals to promote the welfare of animals.

Chris Barltrop, of the Classical Circus Association and Defra's Circus Working Group, said he had written to the committee to ask them to think again.