As part of the revision of existing animal protection laws in Brussels, fur farming is also coming under scrutiny. After around 1.5 million EU citizens from at least seven EU states voted in favor of abolishing fur farms in one of the most successful European citizens’ initiatives in June of this year, the European Commission is now postponing the decision. For the time being, it allows the continuation of the current practice of breeding, keeping and killing animals for fur products as well as the torturous long-distance animal transport.
Specifically, the Commission wants to wait for the results of a study commissioned by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before making a final decision. Julia Zhorzel, specialist for clothing and textiles at the animal protection association PETA Germany: “With today’s decisions to continue to allow cruel fur farms and long-distance animal transport, the EU Commission is not only trampling on the will of the voters, but above all on the protection of animals. The study commissioned by the Commission is a complete waste of time. It has long been proven that fur farms cause extreme animal suffering.”
There is currently no longer any fur farm in Germany, although fur farming is not banned in Germany. The last farm is said to have stopped production in 2019 due to stricter animal welfare regulations. In thirteen EU member states, fur farms are currently banned by law or the practice has been phased out due to stricter husbandry regulations. The marketing of fur is also prohibited in some countries.
One of the concerns about a ban on fur farming within the EU is that it could lead to an increase in imports from third countries.