Decree “circuses”: One Voice against the Ministry of Ecologically and Transition, hearing to be held at the State Council on 25th October 2018 at 9:30 am

In view of the evolution of scientific knowledge and animal rights, One Voice attacked the inter-ministerial decree of 18^th March 2011 called "circuses" before the State Council. One Voice demands that this decree be rescinded, that the possession of any wildlife be prohibited in these establishments and that these animals be transferred immediately to sanctuaries.
The hearing will be held on Thursday October 25^th at 9:30.

The questioning of this decree "laying down the conditions for keeping and using live animals from non-domestic species in itinerant shows" is based in particular on the fact that animals kept in captivity have a new status¹ which defines them as sentient beings, and as such have fundamental rights such as:

• the right to a life compatible with the biological imperatives of the species concerned, whose well-being is an integral part;
• the right to dignity or to life (unless otherwise required);
• the right not to be abused, tortured or abandoned;
• the right not to be abused.

The One Voice association has been defending the interests of animals for nearly twenty-five years and was the first in France to bring to court the case of an animal held in a circus. They have saved many who, under their responsibility, now live a life in semi-freedom in sanctuaries.

Before attacking the text in front of the State Council, the association had met the Ministry of Ecologically and Transition and Solidarity and had written to him and to the minister of Agriculture and Food, asking them to cancel the text. But without a response from them, One Voice had to seize the corresponding jurisdiction. What was surprising to them when they learned that the Ministry of the Ecologically and Solidarity Transition, who is supposed to be defending the interests of nature and animals, had expressed himself in a written brief submitted on March 1^st, 2018 to the State Council, requesting to reject the demands of One Voice!

There are only eight countries in Europe that have not yet legislated, France is one of the latter, which continues to blame its municipalities for this responsibility. Children are the first spectators to witness the misery of these animals that are part of our common heritage. How will they protect them if they have this vision of them, when these animals are already experiencing a 6th mass extinction?

Muriel Arnal, president and founder of One Voice says:

1. Article 515-14 of the Civil Code, which states: "Animals are living beings endowed with sensitivity".