The french legislation ofnon-domestic animals is controlled by  The Environmental Code, Articles L413-1 à L413-5 and Articles L413-6 à L413-8

Principles

Respect the ecological balance and preserve biodiversity.

• Limit taking of animals in the natural environment by allowing animal lists for International Trade
• Develop the quality of breeding techniques and encourage the reproduction in endangered species
• Prevent the development of invasive species (for example:  Red-eared slider and European pond turtle)

Ensure the safety and health of the people.

• Avoid injury to people by animals, by restrictions for dangerous animals

• Avoid transmission of diseases (zoonosis)

Ensure the welfare of the animals and promote the quality and the technicality of breeders.

• Give to animals conditions of accommodation adapted to their biological characteristics.
• Satisfaction of their physiological needs

Status of animals

Definitions

• Species

Group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

The species is the principal natural taxonomic unit, ranking below a genus and denoted by a Latin binomial, e.g., Homo sapiens.

• Breed

Stock of animals or plants within a species having a distinctive appearance and typically having been developed by deliberate selection.

• Variety

Taxonomic category that ranks below subspecies (where present) or species, its members differing from others of the same subspecies or species in minor but permanent or heritable characteristics.

A variety is commonly obtained by mutation.

Categories defined in french legislation

Domestic species

• Legislative text: Ministerial Order August 11, 2006

Wildlife species protected at the international level (CITES, EU)

• Complete lists of appendixes I II and III of the CITES : checklist.cites.org
• Complete lists of annexes A, B,C and D of the EU Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 (in all languages): http://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/1320/oj?eliuri=eli:reg:2014:1320:oj

Wildlife species protected at local level (France, Metropolitan, Corsican and French Guiana)

• France Metropolitan: France legally class wildlife into 3 categories:
  • Protected species: List and prohibitions: www.cpepesc.org/Faune-sauvage-au-regard-de-la.html
  • "Game" species: List: MO_June, 26 1987
  • Pests species: List and terms of destruction: MO_August 2, 2012
• French Guiana: It'an overseas department of France. To complete international laws of the trade of protected species, a national legislation has been done. List and prohibitions: "Arrêté Guyane"

List of non-domestic species whose detention is subject to official authorization
and that the marking is mandatory

This species can be internationaly protected or not. (For example, Sus scrofa - Wild Boar)

Sus scrofa - Wild Boar

The list is the Annex I of the MO_August 10, 2014.

Marking is made by tattoo, ear tagging, RFID transponders , or ringing. The methods are detailed in the Annex B of the MO_August,10 2014.

Some species may be authorized only in special cases: the Gracile capuchin monkey (Cebus spp.) for the  assistance to a disabled person and raptors for hunting. MO_August,10

          

Gracile capuchin monkey (Cebus spp.)                  Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) hunting

Dangerous wildlife species

The Annexe 3 of MO_August 10, 2004 fixes the list of the animals considered as dangerous. 

Invasive alien species

Based on the Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 and its list.

Keeping of animals of this list is prohibited.

A European site of informations on Alien Species: easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu

Wildlife species unprotected

All the other species.

Status of the holder of non domestic species

"Hobby holdings"

• rights and duties in MO_August 10, 2004
• some species need an official authorization and a marking: Annex 1 of MO_August 10, 2004
• Some species are forbidden:
  • No Annex A of the EU Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97
  • No dangerous animals except Boa constrictor and Annex 1 of MO_August 10, 2004
  • No local wildlife except Annexe 1 of MO_August 10, 2004 and game species
  • No those who are in a specific list
• A maximum number of kept adult animals is defined for some species in Annex A of MO_August 10, 2004
• The sale or donation of a non-domestic animal needs an attestation of cession

Breeding establishments

• common rules: defined in an other MO_August 10, 2004
  • a prior official authorization
  • the responsible person of the animals care must have a certificate of capacity for the maintenance of these animals.
    • Conditions: MO_December,12 2000, Circular DNP/SBB N ° 2008-03 of 11/042008
• Different kinds of breeding establishment:
  
  • Non-professionnals: all the "hobby holdings" who don't respect the limitations of the MO_Augus 10, 2004
  • Professionals: 
    • profit purpose breeder 
    • game breeder for legal hunting
    • Zoos and aquariums
      • European legislation: "Zoo Directive"
      • French legislation: MO_March 25, 2004
    • Health care facilities for wildlife
      • MO_September 11, 1992
    • Pet stores
• Tow categories of establishments:
  • Defined by Article R413-14 of the Environmental Code and MO_November 21, 1997
  • The first category includes institutions that present dangers or serious disadvantages for wildlife and natural environments as well as the safety of individuals. The approval takes the form of a prefect order.
  • The second category includes establishments which does not have such dangers or disadvantages. The approval is simplest.