Words by Smiley Team
In good news for animal rights, the French parliament has voted in support of a bill to ban wild animals in circuses. It will help protect animals from exploitation in performances and will end mink farming for their fur.
After about a year of debate, the animal welfare legislation gained cross-party support in both houses of parliament. All it needs to go through is President Emmanuel Macron’s signature, who referred to it as a “historic step” for animal rights.
The co-sponsor of the law, veterinarian and lawmaker Loïc Dombreval tweeted: “Victory for our animal friends! The National Assembly adopted the bill against animal abuse unanimously minus one vote. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all MPs of all political parties. It’s a fact: animals bring us together.”
Brigitte Bardot, the French actor and one of the country’s most prominent animal rights advocates also hailed the bill, calling it “a major advance for the animal rights cause in France.”
Once the bill is passed, circuses will have to end performances with lions, bears or tigers in two years. In seven years, owning such animals will also become illegal.
The bill will put a stop to dolphin shows and shut down the country’s last mink farm, which breeds the animals for their fur.
The ban comes one month after an undercover investigation by French animal rights group One Voice.
One Voice investigates and campaigns to stop animal rights abuses. To support their work donate here.
