Ban on Wild Animals in Circuses in France

The admission of further dolphins and whale species such as orcas into the country’s aquariums is also to be prohibited in the coming years.

The attitude towards wild animals has changed, the minister explained. «This is the beginning of a new era«, announced Environment Minister Barbara Pompili.

The «fascination» with wild-living species must no longer lead to keeping as many of them as possible in captivity, Pompili went on to say. She initially did not give a target date for the planned bans during a press conference on 29 September 2020. However, the implementation must proceed «as quickly as possible», writes BBC.

Pompili also announced the end of mink farming for fur. France still has four mink farms and three dolphinariums. No new dolphinarium may therefore be opened.

French circuses currently house around 500 predators. There will be an individual solution for «every circus and every animal», the environment minister promised. According to her statements, there are already bans on wild animals in hundreds of municipalities across France. More than 20 countries across Europe have introduced strict rules for circuses. The minister added that the government is considering establishing a sanctuary for the animals currently held in captivity.

The new rules will not, however, apply to zoos or other permanent shows.

The process of change is set to take place over several years. The government wants to help the circus industry develop a programme without wild animals. She told local media: «This transition will span several years, because it will change the lives of many people.» The government intends to support the circus industry with an aid package of 8 million euros.

In Germany, similar demands have existed for a long time. According to statements from late July, the federal government is now examining a ban on circuses for certain species.

At a meeting with hobby hunters in August, Barbara Pompili, the Minister of Ecological Transition, stated that the Chasse à la Glu would also have to end by October.

Growing concern for animal welfare in society

Last May, the Animal Party received almost half a million votes in elections. A petition for a «Referendum for Animals«, calling for a ban on exhibitions of wild animals, was signed by more than 750,000 internet users and supported by 141 parliamentarians. Several legislative proposals on the subject of animal welfare were also submitted, including one from the Ecology Democracy Solidarity (EDS) group, which is to be examined in the assembly in early October.

Nous avons pris hier un tournant majeur pour la condition des animaux sauvages en France. Cirques, delphinariums, visons : ces décisions sont des avancées pour le bien-être animal et pour une société consciente de sa responsabilité vis-à-vis de la nature. pic.twitter.com/1bnSfLpQsR

— Barbara Pompili (@barbarapompili) September 30, 2020

The Animal Party promises to «bring the voice of animals to the elections» and has built its programme on a single principle:putting an end to animal abuse. This cause is supported by Brigitte Bardot and Laura Smet. Together with around fifty actors, entertainers, and singers, they had founded a platform calling to «represent the interests of living beings«.