Protests have been held in the UK against the use of wild animals in circuses A ban on wild animal species performing in circuses in England will be proposed by a group of MPs in the Commons later.A backbench debate has been called by Conservative Mark Pritchard. It has backing from several Lib Dem and Labour MPs, as well as celebrity supporters.
Ministers say they would rather strengthen the existing Animal Welfare Act than introduce a complete ban.
The government's stance on the issue is backed by the Association of Circus Proprietors of Great Britain.
Outdated and cruelOnly a handful of circuses in England keep wild animals, which includes any non-domestic species such as tigers, zebras and camels.
But Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, thinks the practice is outdated and cruel.
He will use the debate to call on ministers to introduce a total ban on the use of such creatures from next year.
The government's preferred option is to introduce a licensing scheme and a tougher inspection regime under the Animal Welfare Act.
Such an approach is currently the subject of consultation and has been welcomed by the circus industry which says cases of mistreatment are very rare.
A group of celebrities, including comedian Ricky Gervais and actor Brian Blessed, has written an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling on the government to bring in a ban.
The letter has also been signed by actors Annette Crosbie, Julia McKenzie and John Nettles, musician Brian May, designer Meg Mathews, broadcaster Mark Radcliffe, comedian Alexei Sayle, and poet Benjamin Zephaniah.
'Knocked down'They said campaign group Animal Defenders International had been advised that legal obstacles to a ban, cited by the government, were not relevant.
Their letter said: "The coalition government's decision is completely at odds with public and parliamentary will.
"Every legal obstacle that the government has recently put forward has now been knocked down."
Singer Leona Lewis has written directly to her MP, Labour's Diane Abbott, to express her "shock and outrage" over the issue.
Shadow Commons leader Hilary Benn has accused ministers of making "pathetic excuses" to avoid a ban.
Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh said: "There is overwhelming public support for a ban on wild animals in circuses.
"Wild animals should not be transported around the country in cages for 'entertainment'."
Robust regulationEnvironment Secretary Caroline Spelman announced in May that there would be no outlawing of the use of wild animals in circuses. She promised to enforce "high welfare standards".
Agriculture minister Jim Paice also ruled out a ban but said the cost of a new licensing and inspection regime could lead to fewer performing animals.
However, the Association of Circus Proprietors of Great Britain said more robust regulation could see some circuses return to using animals as it would be easier to show they were "fully compliant" with higher welfare standards.
A ban on circus animals introduced in Austria is being challenged under European law.
The UK government has previously argued that it would be unworkable to introduce a ban until the outcome of that case was known.
Public outcryShould MPs vote for a ban it will not pass into law but would increase pressure on the government to act.
The governing SNP in Scotland has said it could include a ban in its legislative programme, to be outlined in the autumn.
In 2009, there were an estimated 39 wild animals being used in UK circuses, including elephants, tigers, lions, camels, zebras and crocodiles.
There was an outcry earlier this year when footage emerged of a 59-year-old circus elephant called Anne being beaten with a pitchfork in Northamptonshire.
She has since been taken to Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire.
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