Working groups on the welfare of captive wildlife: NGOs want to believe in the real progress of animal welfare

At
the end of the consultation launched by the Minister of Ecological
and Solidarity Transition on April 24^th,
animal welfare organizations presented their proposals on the four
areas of work: wild animals in circuses, cetaceans in dolphinariums,
breeding mink for fur and zoos. Faced with the absolute impossibility
of satisfying the physiological and behavioural needs of wild animals
in captivity, they are calling for a ban on the keeping of wild
animals in circuses and dolphinariums, as well as the prohibition of
mink breeding for fur.

Improving animal welfare requires ambitious measures

Improvement
of an animals living conditions does not involve enlargement or
enrichment of cages or ponds, promises to respect existing
legislation, which no one is supposed to ignore, or anthropocentric
interpretations of what could or should be animal welfare. No
additional standard will make these practices acceptable and
justifiable. Improvement of an animal’s condition requires
ambitious measures and strong commitments, which take into account
the specific needs and interests of each species, the reality of the
situations, the existing alternatives and the expectations of civil
society. The economic argument, taken into account by the
organizations by proposing transitional measures, can in no way be a
brake on the necessary progress towards a more just society towards
animals.

Animal welfare: a strong societal demand

Animal
welfare organizations do not base their arguments on a philosophical
vision of animal welfare but on scientific data, which demonstrates,
in addition to visible pathologies and injuries, the psychological
suffering of wild animals kept in captivity. These requests take into
account from their experience in the field, current regulatory
failures they have witnessed, growing societal and political
expectations, the negative pedagogical impact of wildlife shows and
the protection of nature issues. In addition, these requests for
prohibitions are supported by a growing number of French and elected
officials¹.

“To defend the animal cause is to serve human progress”

The
concern for the animal cause is no longer the exclusive preserve of
animal welfare organizations and is becoming an ethical and political
issue. The Minister of State said in launching this dialogue: “to
defend the animal cause is to serve human progress. (…) Today we
can no longer claim humanism without fully taking into account animal
welfare”. France must embark on this path of progress for a
more just, respectful and responsible society. The government must
give itself the means to act concretely, beyond incantatory speeches
on the importance of the consideration of animal welfare.

Minister
of State François de Rugy emphasized on 3^rd
July: “It is not because things have existed for a long time
that they must be immutable. “. Organizations are just waiting
to believe it and are now waiting for concrete and strong action.

Signatory
organizations:

AVES
France – Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH) France et Green Cross
France et Territoires CCFT – C’est assez ! – Code Animal –
Confédération Nationale Défense de l’Animal – Convergence Animaux
Politique – Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis – Fondation Assistance aux
animaux – Fondation Brigitte Bardot – La Fondation Droit Animal,
Ethique et Sciences (LFDA) – L214 – Ligue pour la protection des
oiseaux (LPO) – One Voice – Paris Animaux Zoopolis – Les Pisteurs –
Réseau-Cétacés – La Société Protectrice des Animaux

¹
– Clear expectations of civil society and many elected officials:

• 67% of French people want to
  ban the exploitation of wild animals in circuses (Ifop survey for the
  Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis – February 2018).

• 
  At the national level, in 2
  years, 4 bills and 33 parliamentary written questions were sent to
  the Minister of the Ecological and Solidary Transition by deputies
  and senators concerning the presence of wild animals in circuses.

• 
  As of June 24^th,
  2019, 361 municipalities want a total ban on the use of wild animals
  in circuses (Source Animal Code: https://bit.ly/2Yymlrt)

• 
  7 out of 10 are opposed to the
  captivity of dolphins and orcas in water parks.

• 
  86% of our fellow citizens
  believe that the government should rather encourage and accompany the
  creation of sanctuaries or marine refuges to accommodate these
  captive cetaceans and rehabilitate them back into the wild.

• 
  8 out of 10 are strongly
  opposed to the presence of polar bears in zoos in Mediterranean
  regions. (Ifop survey for That’s enough! and the Brigitte Bardot
  foundations and 30 Millions d’Amis – November 2018)

• 
  9 out of 10 consider that
  animal welfare is an important cause.

• 
  65% of French people do not
  trust the current government to face up against the lobbies.

• 
  60% are unhappy with the
  government’s animal welfare. (Ifop survey for Animal Policy – January
  2019)