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Requirements for the movement of circus animals and animal acts

Standardised rules across the European Union (EU) allow the movement of circus animals and animal acts between EU member states.

In England and Wales, these regulations are enacted by the Animals & Animal Products (Import & Export) (Laboratories, Circuses & Avian Quarantine) Regulation 2007.

Animal Health is responsible for administering the conditions of this Regulation in England and Wales.

The species covered are all mammals (including bats), birds, bees, salmon and trout.

On this page:

Requirements

If a circus or animal act meets the criteria described above, the Regulation requires that:

  • The Circus or animal act must be registered with the Competent Authority in the country in which it has its legal residence, or in the EU member state in which it is situated. In Great Britain, this means being registered with Animal Health,
  • All registration documents must be kept up to date and held for a minimum of five years,
  • All animals in the circus or animal act are to have passports (dogs, cats, ferrets and horses require passports under other legislation)
  • All animals in the circus/animal act are tested and vaccinated as per the requirements in the circus and animal act passports;
  • All animals registered as being part of the circus or animal act are kept away from unregistered animals.

Movement of circus or animal acts

  • At least 10 working days prior to travel, the registered circus or animal act must apply to the Competent Authority in which they are currently residing for an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate. This will permit travel to another EU member state.

For a circus or animal act resident in Great Britain this would be done by completing a TRACES EXA31 application form. This form is available from Animal Health’s Specialist Service Centre for Exports. The completed form should be returned to this office at least 48 hours prior to any intended movement to another member state.

Registering

If you need to register your circus or animal act in line with this Regulation, please complete the application form below and send to the following address:

Specialist Service Centre for Exports
Animal Health
Hadrian House
Wavell Drive
Rosehill Industrial Estate
Carlisle
CA1 2TB

If you have any further queries, you can contact us by either telephone or email:
Telephone No: 01228 403641
Email: PolicyLiaisonTeam.Carlisle@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk

Forms

Charges

Animal Health makes charges for its service in registering your circus or animal act, you will also be required to pay for circus and animal act passports.

Legislation

Animals & Animal Products (Import & Export) (Laboratories, Circuses & Avian Quarantine) Regulation 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

Page last modified: 16 August, 2011