Bill to protect wild animals passed by parliament

Parliament voted to end the use of wild animals in live circus shows and outlawed mink farming, in legislation hailed as a step forward by campaigners. Performances of wild animals such as lions, tigers or bears will be prohibited in two years, and owning them outlawed in seven years.

The regulations, once signed into law by the president, Emmanuel Macron, will also ban live dolphin shows and will mean the country’s last mink producer will close. France lags behind around 20 European countries that have either banned or heavily restricted the use of animals for entertainment.