CIRCUS BEARS

That this House notes with concern the cruelty to bears at zoos throughout China where they are forced to perform circus acts for members of the public; recognises that many bears are trained by enforcement, being beaten into submission until they will do whatever their trainer tells them, often with the use of sticks or electric prods; further notes that the bears' parents are held captive on farms where they are milked for their bile; expresses horror at the widespread nature of this torture with estimates showing as many as 7,000 bears being treated in this way; and calls on the Government to work with animal rights organisations and make representations to the Chinese authorities to stop this barbaric practice.