Currently in the current situation with lack of legislation to enforce this we encourage producers to use only PAWSI registered trainers where possible. These have all been registered and inspected to a standard.

DEFRA has produced the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which absorbed the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925, this requires any person who exhibits or trains any performing (vertebrate) animal to be registered with a local authority. The term “exhibit” is defined as “exhibit at any entertainment to which the public are admitted, whether on payment of money or otherwise…”and to “train” means “train for the purpose of any such exhibition”.

This provision, applies to circuses and also to other situations, such as cabarets and film making and plays, that involve animal performances and there is no exemption for excluding zoos. The definitions in the Act also appear to cover some of the training and performance with animals that takes place in zoos. However, it might be expected that training that was carried out to assist in the routine management of an animal (and not intended as preparation of a performance) would not involve registration.

A person who exhibits or trains a performing animal must be registered; eg circuses, cabarets, film making etc.

Whatever system is brought into place later this year to cover circuses (and something WILL appear), it is difficult to see how this will not affect trainers taking animals for film purposes.

PAWSI have been instrumental in setting up AN NVQ system for animal trainerers working in the audio-visual industry. This is offered by Sparsholt College. Insurers prefer you to use qualified staff.