At the latest meeting of the new Council, Councillor Kelly – who has led on tackling animal welfare issues in the area – was able to work with others to garner enough support to overturn an earlier decision to let these types of shows operate as normal within the area.
Councillor Neil Kelly said: “A travelling circus is no place for wild animals and it is time that Northern Ireland caught up with the rest of the UK on this issue.
“Through our Councillors, MLA team and MP, Alliance continues to lobby to ensure a ban on circuses coming to Northern Ireland with wild animals becomes a reality in Northern Ireland.
“People across Northern Ireland take animal welfare seriously and I hope to be able to join Naomi Long MP at Westminster where she has campaigned on this issue and been recognised for her work by a number of animal welfare charities.
“Forcing wild animals to travel around the country is both morally and ethically wrong and while the decision taken by Antrim and Newtownabbey is not quite an outright ban, it means open debate and a vote will have to place on each application made.”