A major vote was recently held in France to ban the use of animals in live circus performances from 2023. As a result of this vote, it was decided that tigers, lions and bears used in circus performances would be considered illegal with the entry into force of the ban.
Although described by the Republic on the Move (LREM) party as a “historic step in the fight for animal rights”, some say the ban is not comprehensive enough as bullfights will still be allowed under the new policy.
The policy states that performances will be stopped within two years, and ownership of circus animals will become illegal within seven years. Dolphins are among other protected species. Mink farms are banned immediately.
Penalties are also increased under the new law, and people found guilty of mistreating animals could face a €75,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
However, some are unhappy that cultural events such as hunting and bullfighting are not included in the law. These two issues, which divide people into two, are strongly defended by some parts of the country, while others want it to be banned.
Following a similar decision in Germany in 2017, the country’s famous Circus Roncalli took the stage in 2018 with impressive holograms replacing live animals.
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