France to ban use of wild animals in travelling circuses, mink farming

French government on September 29 anunced that it will gradually end use of wildlife in travelling circuses across country. France's environment minister Barbara Pompili on Tuesday said that country with new measures seeks to improve welfare of captive animals in country, adding "it is time to open a new era in our relationship with se animals."

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latest measures also include end of mink farming for ir fur, ban on breeding of dolphins and killer whales for aquarium purposes. minister said that country will support zoos which improve detention conditions for animals. However, minister did t anunce exactly when se ecological transitions will come into effect and just said that measures would be taken in years to come. 

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Pompili said that French government will spend €8 million to provide relief pack to circuses and dolphinariums so that y can recover and adapt to bans as quickly as possible. Many local councils across France already have such bans in place and at least 20 European countries, including United Kingdom, have restrictions that limit or ban use of wildlife for entertainment purposes in zoos and circuses. From January 2020, England banned use of wild animals in circuses under Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019. 

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Why wild animals should t be in circuses?

Wild animals in circus are usually captive bred but that does t change fact that y are t domesticated because it takes thousands of years for animals to become domesticated. animals that perform in travelling circuses are meant for living in wild but instead, y end up spending most of ir time chained and cd in cramped living conditions. According to RSPCA, travelling circus life is likely to have a harmful effect on animal welfare as captive animals are unable to socialise, get eugh exercise or exhibit natural behaviours.

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