At the end of the consultation launched by the Minister of Ecological and Solidarity Transition on April 24th, 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 3rd 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 24th, 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)