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Russia May Ban Animal Performances in Circuses: Key Questions About the Draft Law
In November, the State Duma will consider the issue of banning animals in circuses. There should be no elephants, tigers, and dogs suffering for the sake of public pleasure, say the authors of the bill from the New People party, Davankov and Nechayev. However, Vladimir Burmatov, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection, strongly doubts that such a document will be approved.
Vladimir Burmatov himself did not participate in the development of this bill, but is deeply immersed in the topic of circus animals.
"We will not support this bill precisely because we are on topic," the deputy told Komsomolskaya Pravda. "My colleagues raised this issue, but the way it is presented in this bill does more harm than good. Nechayev and Davankov propose a complete ban on the presence of animals in circuses, without answering the question of where to place the animals that are there now. It is a simple question. Only in Moscow are there several large circuses where trained animals perform. And in addition, there are also retired animals, and the circus is obliged to keep them in accordance with previously adopted rules. If such a law were adopted, many circus performers would cross themselves and say: "Take them!" So where are the lions, tigers, elephants and trained seals? On the street? Will the authors of the bill bring them home? I doubt it. What foster family in Russia would accept so many wild animals?
- However, you yourself have repeatedly said that the use of animals in performances should be avoided?
- Yes, but tighten the screws gradually. We have already passed several laws, including my law on copyright. There are circus licenses, a ban on mobile tents, huge fines for violations, a ban on cruelty to animals and criminal liability for this. I believe that such measures will be more effective. In addition, the subjects of the Russian Federation have the right to completely refuse animal performances. And in Russia there are entire cities that have done this, for example, Magas (Ingushetia). The city authorities banned traveling circus tours using animals.
Burmatov says that Russian circuses now have far fewer shows with animals.
– If earlier it made up 50% of the total program, now it is only 20%. And they mainly use domestic animals, such as dogs, cats and horses, which already live next to humans.
The deputy chairman of the commission also suggests that citizens vote in rubles.
– Demand creates supply. If you don’t go where there are animals, there won’t be any animals. But people do! You’d like to buy tickets to a play in Moscow next weekend. You won’t buy it! Even though the price is quite high.
Therefore, the fate of the legislative ban remains in question. Moreover, the Law on New People was already rejected last year. But they put it to a vote again. And as follows from the explanatory note: Legislators rely on the opinion of citizens and the experience of other countries. “According to a sociological survey conducted in November 2021, 42% of Russian citizens believe that the use of wild animals should be prohibited. Animal husbandry in circuses, 8% of city residents are against performances of wild animals only. Currently, more than 40 countries, including many countries in Asia and Europe, have a complete or partial ban on the use of animals in circuses. For example, Iran, Israel, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Finland, Austria and many other countries have completely banned the use of animals in circus performances.”
And there are a lot of animals in Russian circuses. Only in the Russian circus there are 37 permanent circuses and 3 tents (1100 animals). And in general it is unknown how many people are in a private house.
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