CIRCUS – FRANCE 0:1
GOOD JOB FRANCE! ANIMAL RIGHTS LEGISLATION AT ITS PEAK!
France banned breeding and importing dolphins and killer whales for marine parks a couple of years ago.
But now, France’s environment minister also announced a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses and stated that soon all the country’s mink farms would have to close (it would also require that the new pet owners get certificates
guaranteeing they have the knowledge needed to care for their animals).
Since every decision (especially declaring bans) has its consequences, the French government promised to provide €8m (£7.3m) to help people working in circuses and marine parks so they will be able to find other jobs.
They are still debating on an animal welfare bill that would ban using wild animals in travelling circuses and also keeping dolphins and whales in captivity in marine parks.
There is another bill they are debating as well, but the process will be more complex as its transition period will most likely last for 5-7 years, and it would ban the use of wild animals in television shows, nightclubs and private parties.
THE WILD ANIMAL BAN WILL NOT APPLY TO PERMANENT SHOWS AND ZOOS.
SITUATION IN EUROPE
Most European countries have either partially or totally banned the use of wild animals in circuses and since the awareness of importance of animal rights arose amongst the whole world population, some huge circuses decided (on
their own) to stop using wild animals in their shows.
