Cockfighting remains legal in certain regions of France due to a 1964 law, despite its controversial nature. A proposed bill aims to prevent minors under 16 from attending such events, addressing concerns about the psychological impact on children. Senator Samantha Cazabonne emphasizes the need for age restrictions, highlighting contradictions in current regulations. While the bill faces opposition from Republican senators who cite economic and cultural reasons, a survey shows strong public support for punishing animal cruelty.
Cockfighting in France: A Controversial Tradition
Cockfighting, where two roosters equipped with steel claws battle until one is rendered unconscious or killed, remains legal in France. This practice is backed by a law from 1964, which permits it in specific regions such as the North, Pas-de-Calais, the Antilles, and Réunion, areas that can establish an “uninterrupted tradition.” However, the construction of new venues, known as gallodromes, for these fights is prohibited.
Proposed Legislation to Protect Minors
The French Senate is set to discuss a bill on Thursday, November 14, introduced by Senator Samantha Cazabonne. This bipartisan initiative seeks to prevent minors under the age of 16 from attending cockfights and bullfights. Currently, there are no restrictions on minors accessing these events, allowing parents to bring their young children along.
“Children do not always have the capacity to resist their parents,” states Senator Cazabonne, emphasizing the need for protective measures.
Since 2016, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has urged France to establish a minimum age for attending such events. Senator Cazabonne, affiliated with the group of Democrats, Progressives, and Independents, highlights the importance of prioritizing “the best interest of the child.” She notes, “It is a trauma for them; it leaves lasting scars for many. Some realize it in adulthood, but by then, it’s too late.”
Furthermore, the Arcom, which oversees television broadcasts, bans the depiction of animal killings, a contradiction that Cazabonne finds perplexing. “How can one rationally justify that a parent can take their child to an arena, yet not allow them to watch similar scenes on television? They witness the death of a bull or rooster live, but are denied the same view on a screen,” she questions.
Senator Cazabonne advocates for setting the age limit at 16, a period when adolescents can begin to form their own perspectives. She points out the “loyalty conflict” that arises within families who are enthusiasts of these events: “When parents are excited and applauding, children are often compelled to follow suit.”
Despite the bill’s potential benefits, it has faced opposition in committee, particularly from Republican senators who argue that it undermines local cultures without adequate consultation with community stakeholders. They also point to the economic aspect of cockfighting, which generates revenue through betting. Discussions have also revolved around penalties, with some senators lamenting that criminal responsibility falls on the organizer rather than the parents.
In a recent survey conducted by Ifop in February 2022, an overwhelming 87% of French citizens expressed their support for punishing any act of deliberate cruelty resulting in an animal’s death without exception.