To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hereford of 7 December 2009, Official Report, columns 6-7W, on animal welfare: circuses, what source was referred to in the Answer as the findings of the first element; when those findings were discussed with (a) animal welfare representatives and (b) industry organisations; and which organisations participated in those discussions. (309415)

The source referred to in the answer of 7 December, the first element of the Circus Feasibility Study, was the report and recommendations of the two zoo licensing inspectors who visited two circuses while travelling, and one at their winter quarters.

The wider findings of the circus feasibility study were discussed on 26 October with animal welfare organisations, including representatives from the RSPCA, Animal Defenders International, Captive Animals Protection Society and the Born Free Foundation. A similar meeting took place with representatives from the circus industry, including Performing Animal Welfare Standards International, Circus Mondao, Bobby Roberts Super Circus and the Great British Circus on 22 October.