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| Europe |
| EU to have common |
| 2005-10-15 |
| Hat tip: LGF The European parliament is set to vote on a report calling for standardised rules for circuses performing across the continent. MEPs suggest circuses should be referred to as part of Europe's cultural heritage, but they disagree on whether they should include presentation of animals or not. The report contemplating the "new challenges for the circus as part of European culture" is to be voted on Thursday (13 October). It covers three main areas: the education of children from travelling communities, health and safety standards and visa or work permit rules for artists from third countries, like Russia, Mongolia or China. The parliamentary rapporteur, German centre-right MEP Doris Pack, argues the fact that circuses are generally mobile "highlights the need to look at their situation from a European point of view and consider EU measures in this area". According to Arie Oudenes, from the European Circus Association (ECA), most circus companies represented in ECA have been in favour of putting more pressure upon member states to harmonise their rules, to simplify the movement of circuses from one country to another. "It is very complicated for them to follow, say, different rules on tent quality or visa and work permits when moving from France, through Germany to the Netherlands, which is often the case", he said. However, he admitted some companies fear the new rules could be stricter than the average standards in most countries "for which none of us are ready". At the same time, circus owners from some member states, mainly Britain, argue they prefer national law-making in this area, as they have managed to protect their interests in all the controversial issues, including work permits for foreign artists. The report originally included reference to animal welfare measures, which Green MEPs tried to make stricter than those suggested by Mrs Pack. In a bid to avoid a debate - which would in any case be outside the scope of the education and culture parliamentary committee - its MEPs voted down all references to animal welfare. However, the document still contains a clause, suggesting "it would be desirable for it to be recognised that the classical circus, including the presentation of animals, forms part of Europe's culture". According to Karen Bentolila from the Green group, its MEPs will try to water down this suggestion in a split vote tomorrow. Mr Oudenes from ECA argues that the wording surrounding this issue will be crucial for traditional circuses. "If we have a clear recognition by the European Parliament that 'classical circus' does include shows with animals, our position in some states will be much stronger when there is an initiative at national level to ban them", he suggested. At the moment, Austria does not allow circuses to use any wild animals, while the Scandinavian countries ban some kinds of animals, such as lions and tigers. Belgium is also currently drafting much stricter rules, effectively ruling out animals in circuses. |
| Posted by:Jackal |
| #5 Bippo ripped the ruffled polka-dotted frill off of Lulubelle's neck, exposing her heaving bosom. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on the base of her neck, his nose squeaking softly as it pressed into the side of her head. "I want you," he gasped into her ear, hidden beneath her multicolored wig. "Oh, Bippo..." she sighed, "I want you too...but not here, not in the confetti and the elephant droppings. Let's...oh, god, I love that!...let's move to the car." "The car? But Spanky and Wally and thirteen other guys are in the car right now!" he protested, his desire driving him to yank the giant felt buttons off the front of her costume. "I don't care!" she cried. "There's plenty of room! There's always plenty of room in the car! I want you now!" Bippo's lust was beyond control now. The steaminess of their mutual desire made his lipstick run, and he was leaving rivers of red and clown-white down Lulubelle's neck and onto the heated hills of her breasts. "The car... yes... god, yes...let's get into the car..." -- Captain Infinity (alt.sex.hello-kitty) |
| Posted by: .com 2005-10-15 16:51 |
| #4 I guess the EU's easier than a real government. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-10-15 16:55 |
| #3 Coulrophobia (fear of clowns) is no laughing matter. http://plif.andkon.com/archive/wc270.gif http://www.stopclownpornnow.org/ Okay, maybe it is. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-10-15 13:59 |
| #2 As if any further proof is necessary as to why no one takes these clowns seriously (pun intended)... |
| Posted by: Raj 2005-10-15 12:08 |
| #1 Allow me to say it first: The EU IS a circus. And there are some animals in it. Jacques Chirac and George Galloway come to mind -- a frog and a toad. |
| Posted by: Darrell 2005-10-15 11:14 |