Several events in France in recent years have added momentum for the ban, including the death of a sickly performing bear called Mischa in 2019 that had been rescued from animal trainers, as well as the shooting of an escaped tiger in Paris in 2017.

Public opinion in Europe has moved decisively against animal circuses, once a popular form of family entertainment, following revelations about cruel treatment and campaigning from rights groups. Polls show that a vast majority of French people support the ban on wild circus animals, and dozens of cities and towns around the country already bar them. we will debate sensitive issues such as hunting, such as bullfighting, or some animal-rearing practices,” said the lawmaker, who is also a veterinarian. Loïc Dombreval, the LREM co-sponsor of the law, conceded that other controversial issues had not been included within the scope of the legislation, which won cross-party support in both houses of parliament. Macron’s centrist Republic on the Move (LREM) party called the legislation “a historic step in the animal rights combat”, while former actor and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot welcomed “a major advance”.Ĭircus owners denounced it, however, while some campaigners said it did not go far enough.Īs well as the measures targeting circuses, the new law will raise the maximum penalty for mistreating animals to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($85,000), and will tighten restrictions on the sale of pets.

The new regulations, once signed into law by the president, Emmanuel Macron, will also ban live dolphin shows and mink farming, meaning the country’s last mink producer will close.

Performances of wild animals such as lions, tigers or bears will be prohibited in two years, and owning them outlawed in seven years, under the wide-ranging law passed on Thursday. The French parliament has voted to end the use of wild animals in live circus shows and outlawed mink farming, in new animal rights legislation hailed as a step forward by campaigners.

Loic lefebvre