France, the European nation, is commencing three exciting bans on the use of wild animals for entertainment.
On 29th September (Tuesday), Barbara Pompili, minister of Ecological Transition, announced that she is banning the use of wild animals in traveling circuses, marine parks, and mink fur farms.
Under the new law, the traveling circuses are not allowed to use any wild animals in their show. Pompili explained that this regulation will not take effect immediately, but the transition will take several years because it will change the lives of many people.
According to the Brussels Times, about 500 wild animals are being used by circuses – it is unclear what will happen to the animals once this regulation takes effect. On this matter, Pompili said that the solution will be found on a case-by-case basis and the animals will not be released back to the wild.
All of France’s marine parks will be turned into sanctuaries. Marie parks will no longer be allowed to breed, obtain dolphins or killer whales and keep them in captivity.
The French government is investing €8 million (USD 9.4 million) to help marine parks so that they can change into sanctuaries over the next 7 to 10 years, and all captured dolphins and whales would no longer be forced to perform for people.
All mink fur farms in France will be closed down. Ecological Transition minister Pompili said all mink fur farms must permanently close by 2025.
On fur farms, all the minks are forced to live in a small confined place with unhygienic conditions before being skinned for the fur.
Fur farms are not only killing animals for the fur, but also hurts the environment in various ways.
However, animal welfare organizations like PETA and the Humane Society are asking the minister of Ecological Transition to instate the ban sooner than 2025. Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society International, said that this is a great step for France, but it allows the unnecessary suffering of mink for another five years.
According to PETA, 27 countries have banned the use of wild animals in circuses, and according to the 2018 poll, 70 percent of French citizens are opposed to keeping cetaceans in captivity for entertainment.
This ban does not apply to wild animals who are in other permanent shows and zoos.