In a historic vote which marks a significant step toward preventing exploitation of animals, Mexico’s congress passed legislation to ban the use of animals in circus performances across the country – joining a small, but growing list of nations which have already outlawed the controversial practice. It calls for fines for violations and requires circuses to submit lists of the wildlife they possess, which would then be made available to zoos interested in taking the animals.

The ban would impact 592 circuses operating around the country. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto hasn’t said whether he’ll sign the bill into law, but it was introduced by an allied party. Meanwhile, across the border the United States lags behind in similar measures to protect animals from being exploited for entertainment.