The Ministry of Environment states that the use of animals in circuses is incompatible with their wellbeing standards as force is sued against them and they are often transported thousands of kilometers, locked in trucks where it's impossible to satisfy their needs.
Such a ban would not prevent the use of animals for performances at stationary places, for example, dolphins and delphinariums.
If backed by the Lithuanian parliament, the ban would come into force in November, 2020. Circus animals would be kept until their natural death without letting them to breed.
Now 24 European countries restrict the use of animals in circuses.
The Lithuanian government also suggests introducing the requirement to get a permit to bring into the country wild animal trophies from third countries, excluding roes, mooses, boars deers and other hunted animals.