Progressive ban on wild animals in circuses and dolphinariums, sale of puppies and kittens in prohibited animal shops: the almost unanimous National Assembly adopted definitively on Tuesday, November 16, before the Senate on Thursday, a bill from the presidential majority to "
fight against the animal abuse
”.
One hundred and eighteen deputies voted for, one against, the LR Anne-Laure Blin, and four abstained.
Assembly and Senate had reached an agreement on this text which also provides for tougher penalties for abuse or abandonment.
One in two French people owns at least one pet, but each year some 100,000 animals are abandoned.
Read also Law against animal abuse: soon circuses without wild animals
Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie applauded the adoption of a "
text that goes beyond political divisions
" and carries multiple "
advances
" which represent "
a real political message
".
With this bill, hailed by animal protection associations, "
we have caught up
with our European neighbors", welcomed its co-author and professional veterinarian Loïc Dombreval (LREM).
Discuss hunting and bullfighting in the future
The bill should help prevent impulse buying of pets. Thus a "
certificate of commitment and knowledge
" will be issued before any acquisition. The sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores will be prohibited as of January 1, 2024. The presentation of animals in windows will no longer be permitted. The sale of animals online will be better regulated. The main initial bone of contention between the Assembly and the Senate, the subject of wild animals in the current 120 traveling circuses was the subject of a compromise. It will be prohibited to present them to the public within two years, and to detain them within seven years. The detention of cetaceans in dolphinaria will be prohibited within five years.
"
The government will be there to support these professionals
" who have voiced their concerns, promised the Secretary of State for Biodiversity Bérangère Abba. Aurore Bergé (LREM) recalled that it was "
not a law of defiance
", condemning "
the threats sometimes suffered by some parliamentarians
" for their votes. A few dissenting voices were heard, including that of Olivier Falorni (Freedoms and Territories) who spoke of "
a useful law against certain forms of mistreatment but not against mistreatment as a whole
", for example in intensive farming. The rebellious Bastien Lachaud has crushed a "
miserable objective in a dripping electorism
», But voted in favor.
"
Ineluctably, the day will come when we will be able in this hemicycle to debate delicate questions such as certain hunting practices, bullfighting, certain breeding practices
," assured the co-rapporteur Loïc Dombreval.
