Fur Bans
FOUR PAWS advocates for an end of fur farming
The first countries to prohibit fur farming in Europe were the UK in 2000 and Austria in 2004, not least thanks to the work of FOUR PAWS.
But on a global level, most fur animals are either insufficiently protected or are not protected at all. The Council of Europe adopted a recommendation on fur farming in 1999. However, it is totally inadequate from the perspective of animal welfare because it continues to permit the confinement of the animals in tiny cages. Wire-mesh floors and a lack of areas for climbing, digging and bathing are tolerated.
Many EU states have no additional regulations on fur farming. Fortunately, more and more countries are showing a good example by protecting fur animals through stricter national legislation or by completely banning fur farms.
The Fur Free Pioneers
- Major animal welfare achievements: in the EU, the import of seal skins and dog and cat furs, as well as their trade, is prohibited since 2009.
- Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Serbia, Italy, France, North Macedonia, the Netherlands and the UK have legally prohibited fur farming and the breeding practice has already been terminated.
- A fur farming ban will come into force in Norway in 2025. In October 2019, Slovakia joined the list of countries that are no longer permitting extreme animal cruelty, by introducing legislation that will end fur production by 2025.
- In June 2021, Estonia agreed on a fur farming ban from 2026.
- The Swiss animal protection law stipulates that wild animals such as mink and foxes must be held according to zoo standards. Because these requirements are so high, Switzerland has long been free of fur farms.
- Becoming the first country in the world, in July 2021 Israel announced a fur sales ban.
- In March 2022, Ireland became the most recent country to ban fur farming. The three remaining Irish mink fur farms are expected to close in the same year.
- In August 2022, the Maltese Ministry of Agriculture announced a ban on fur farming, effective immediately. While Malta has no fur farms, the ban is a precautionary measure to prevent farmers from abroad to move their businesses to Malta.
- In September 2022, Latvia became the most recent country to introduce a ban on fur farming, with a phase-out period until 2028.
- In September 2023, Lithuania prohibited fur farming with a phase-out period until 2027.
- In October 2024 Romania prohibited fur farming with a phase-out period until 2027.
- In 2024, the island of Guernsey also introduced a ban on fur farming.
For more information click here: www.furfreealliance.com/fur-bans