Category: Fur and Fur Farming

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

EU: European Parliament Hearing: one step closer to a Fur Free Europe.

European Parliament Hearing: one step closer to a Fur Free Europe

12 October 2023

Press Release

The Europeans Citizens’ call for a Fur Free Europe was presented today at the European Parliament: animal protection organisations, scientists and former fur industry representatives reiterated the critical need for the EU to ban the cruel practice of fur farming once and for all, while they stressed the importance of the publication of the full proposals on animal welfare.

European Parliament Hearing: one step closer to a Fur Free Europe

More than 1.5 million citizens asked for a Fur Free Europe, and 20 Member States have already totally or partially banned fur farming on grounds of animal welfare and public health, sending a clear sign that under no circumstances can fur farms protect the welfare of wild animals. The call to ban fur farms for good has been supported by a number of MEPS as well as Member States at Council level.

In fur farms wild animals are kept in tiny cages, hindered from displaying natural behaviours and killed solely for their fur. In addition, the farms pose a significant risk on animal and human health, and a threat to biodiversity.

Whatever the claims made by the fur industry, neither welfare regulations nor any industry certification scheme can ever change the reality of sentient animals being condemned to live their entire, miserable lives in tiny wire cages. These wild animals are deprived of their basic freedoms, for a product that has no necessity value. Fur is produced only to satisfy the vanity of a very small and rapidly diminishing number of people. That is unacceptable. We must stop it.

Mike Moser, a former fur industry CEO, who is now advocating to ban fur farms

Following an initial meeting between the ECI organisers and the European Commission (EC), this parliamentary hearing is part of the formal ECI procedure. By mid-December, the European Commission is expected to provide an official reply.

Meanwhile, animal protection organisations, MEPs and other stakeholders gathered together yesterday in front of the Berlaymont to publicly call on EC President Ursula von der Leyen to publish the animal welfare proposals in the current term. Amongst the proposals, the Kept Animal Regulation should include the ban on fur farming. 

It is hard to believe that anyone would agree that a life on a fur farm is worth living. Looking at the scientific evidence, it is not surprising that European citizens are strongly against fur farming. It is becoming increasingly difficult to defend the indefensible, with the industry’s own supporters turning against it. The moment could not be more favourable for adopting these bans and including them in the Kept Animal Regulation, a vital part of the revised animal welfare revision. The EC has now the chance to deliver on its promise to publish the full proposals by the end of the year.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals

Mink are active predators whose natural behaviour includes roaming over large areas, hunting, climbing, and swimming. They are highly motivated to seek for food in streams and lakesides where a significant part of their hunting occurs in water. Unlike many other animals in captivity, minks are not suited to live in groups, as they are territorial and typically solitary in the wild. On mink farms, keeping them in small cages, their living conditions are not suited for the life they are adapted for.

Bo Algers, Professor emeritus of veterinary medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

The practice of farming animals for fur breaches the most fundamental principles of animal welfare. The farming systems do not align with the species-specific needs of animals bred on fur farms. This should be seriously considered during the ongoing revision of the EU animal welfare legislation.

Johan Lindsjö, veterinary expert at the Swedish Centre for Animal Welfare (SCAW), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News, Live Transport

EU: Ursula von der Leyen urged to uphold democracy and deliver full proposals for the animals.

Ursula von der Leyen urged to uphold democracy and deliver full proposals for the animals

11 October 2023

Press Release

Animal protection organisations, MEPs and advocates gathered in front of the Berlaymont and publicly called on President von der Leyen to publish the promised full proposals for a revised animal welfare legislation.

In 2020, the European Commission (EC) committed to revise the animal welfare legislation as part of the Farm to Fork Strategy, but with only months before the end of the political term, the EC has announced that it will only publish one of the four promised proposals (Transport Regulation), leaving millions of animals unprotected and citizens’ calls ignored.  

With the current legislation not having been revised for over two decades, several research studies, including EFSA’s latest opinions, have highlighted that the existing regulations are outdated and insufficient to protect the welfare of animals in Europe. This calls for the urgent need to revise the Kept Animals and Slaughter regulations, yet the EC has failed to provide a timeline.

Among the promised proposals, the EC is expected to reveal its action plan to phase out cages, in response to 1.4 million citizens who have called for their ban in the End the Cage Age ECI.

MEPs Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, LU), Anja Hazekamp (The Left, NL), Niels Fuglsang (S&D, DK), Michal Wiezik (Renew Europe, SK), Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA, AT), Manuela Ripa (Greens/EfA, DE), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew Europe, LT), Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA, PT), Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA, FR), Martin Hojsík (Renew Europe, SK) and Martin Buschmann (NA, DE), joined the gathering and publicly called on the EC to deliver the full proposal, as promised.

Millions of citizens are waiting for the European Commission to deliver on these promises and it is in the interest of the credibility of our European institutions not to let them down.

Tilly Metz, MEP

The call was supported by renowned ethologist and conservationist, UN Messenger of Peace and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, Dr Jane Goodall, PhD:

Every year, 300 million sentient animals are caged, confined in industrial farms across the EU. These systems are outdated and cause immense suffering to animals who are able to feel frustration, fear and pain. Unfortunately, it seems that the powerful agribusiness lobby has been opposing these desperately needed reforms, because for them, the wellbeing of animals is not important. It seems that President von der Leyen has listened to big business, rather than the millions of EU citizens who support the promised ban on cages.

Dr. Jane Goodall

She publicly asked President von der Leyen to meet with her and discuss the issue.

In the past weeks, over 600 scientists,  over 100 MEPs and up to 50,000 citizens have called on the EC President to address Europeans’ demands and deliver the proposals.

This commission publicly committed to improve animal welfare. Yet now, at a pivotal moment, we are faced with ambiguity. We don’t need dialogue anymore, we do not need any more economic assessments, and we will not settle for tokens. We are long past those stages. Animal welfare is close to the heart of millions of citizens who now hold this Commission fully accountable for the commitment made to improve the lives of billions of animals in Europe. The time is now, as promised. Revising the animal welfare legislation is the right thing to do.

Reineke Hameleeers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals

On Thursday 12th October, the European Parliament is set to host a debate on another successful ECI, Fur Free Europe, which calls for the ban of fur farming and the placement of fur products on the European market. The farming ban should also be included in the revised Kept Animals Regulation, answering the call of 1.5 million citizens.

Regards Mark

Environmental, Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News, Stray Animals, Uncategorized

Man Knows Best – I Think Not !!

Latest EFSA report on avian influenza cause for concern

5 October 2023

Infections now regularly occur not only in wild and domestic birds but in an increasing number of mammalian species, with occasional human cases.

According to the latest report published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), between the end of June and 1 September 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks continue to be reported worldwide. 

These are worrying results, especially regarding infections in mammals: numerous cases occurred in raccoon dogs, foxes, and American mink kept for fur, as well as in wild otters and seals. Occasional infections in domestic cats and dogs have also been recorded. Some strains now have developed mutations that improve the virus’ ability to infect human cells, increase its resistance to certain antivirals, and augment its virulence. Research is ongoing into the effects of such mutations, but these new subtypes could have a higher zoonotic potential (not yet demonstrated). 

What is clear is that some of the circulating HPAI variants have the ability to jump from one species to another. For instance, it is believed that A(H5N1) which carries markers for adaptation to mammalian cells jumped from chickens to cats in one outbreak in Poland. On Finnish fur farms, the virus jumped from wild birds to kept mammals and further mutated once inside the farms. For this reason, the EFSA recommends increasing biosecurity in fur farms and promptly culling all animals in case of a HPAI outbreak. As long as fur farming remains lawful in the EU, we can thus expect more mass culling events like those witnessed in recent years and even very recently due to COVID infections in animals. 

For now, human infections are infrequent and are therefore considered sporadic, usually as a consequence of direct human contact with infected poultry. However, the situation is evolving and the EFSA recommends consistent and continued monitoring of outbreaks in wild and domestic animals.

Recommendations from the report include:

Increased surveillance of the circulation of the virus both in wild birds and in free-living domestic carnivores;

Increased biosecurity in fur farms with prompt culling of all animals in case of a confirmed outbreak of HPAI, because of the increased risk of mammalian adaptation of the virus;

Timely and accurate reporting of cases in mammalian species for epidemiological purposes;

Both people and domestic carnivores should avoid contact with infected carcasses;

Hospitalised human patients with severe respiratory symptoms should be assessed for exposure risk to HPAI.

Of particular concern is the finding that “about 47% of the characterised viruses contain at least one of the adaptive markers associated with increased virulence and replication in mammals […]. These mutations with potential public health implications have likely emerged upon transmission to mammals.” 

Additionally, in April 2023 a HPAI virus identified in farmed dogs in China had a key mutation that would allow it to jump directly from birds to humans. 

As this report was published, South Africa was (and still is) dealing with the devastating economic consequences of its latest HPAI outbreak, which has resulted in the culling of several million broiler chickens and laying hens. A vaccination program will probably begin in the coming weeks.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

Lithuania bans fur farming.

Lithuania bans fur farming

2 October 2023

There are estimated to be 40 mink farms and 30 chinchilla farms currently in operation in the country, farming around 1 million animals for their fur each year. The bill requires fur farmers to cease trade by 2027, with the state providing financial compensation.

After successfully passing a majority vote in the Seimas last week, President Gitanas Nausėda signed a bill banning fur farming into law on 27 September. 

Lithuania is the 20th Member State to adopt legislative restrictions on fur farming, providing a clear signal that European citizens overwhelmingly support the end of the fur industry.

In the past year alone, citizens have written nearly 27,000 letters to decision makers to demand an end to the brutal confinement and killing of animals for fur. Lithuania has made history and put yet another nail in the coffin of the cruel fur industry.

Gabriele Vaitkevičiūtė, Tušti Narvai

An EU-wide ban is the next step to bring regulations into line throughout the Member States, as promoted by the successful European Citizens’ Initiative Fur Free Europe.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

Finland: Great News – Citizens’ initiative to ban fur farming in Finland breaks records.

Citizens’ initiative to ban fur farming in Finland breaks records

13 September 2023

Susiryhmä

Having collected the required 50,000 signatures in just 24 hours, a Finnish citizens’ initiative calling for a national phase out of fur farming will now go to Parliament for debate.

Turkistarhaus historiaan (consign fur farming to history) calls for a law to ban fur farming in Finland within a reasonable transition period, in addition to rolling out a support system for fur farmers to ensure a fair transition for all.

Finnish citizens’ initiatives have 6 months in which to gather the required level of support.

After breaking records by acquiring the required 50,000 signatures in only one day, over 100,000 names have now been added. Signatures are collected on the Ministry of Justice’s website.

The organisers highlighted the suffering of animals such as mink and foxes, the economically unprofitable industry and public health risks as reasons why fur farming must be brought to an end. 

The demand for a ban will be debated in the Finnish parliament after validation of the signatures.

The success of the initiative is another clear indication that European citizens want to see an end to fur farming, as proven by the European Citizens’ Initiative Fur Free Europe which gathered over 1.5 million validated signatures. 

Visit the initiative’s website to learn more, add your support if you are a Finnish citizen, or donate.

Regards Mark

About Us, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

England: Past Actions.

About Us. | Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

We did well with ‘basic’ SAV over the years, exposing and covering many animal abuse issues throughout Serbia.

You can see a bit of our work by visiting https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/category/serbia-central-serbia-capital-belgrade-and-serbiavojvodina-capital-novi-sad/  –  but the best way is probably to just track through the monthly ‘Archives’ which you can see on the left side of the Home page.

Warning – there are lots of graphic photos and descriptions in these articles.

My policy has always been never to dress something up to be ‘nicer’ than what it is – so what you get and see here is the reality of the situation in Serbia, warts and all.  I think (or know from experience) that animal welfare is often an issue that slowly grinds you down over the years when you are involved with cruelty on a daily basis – but the animals need us; so we carry on.

At the end of 2018 we worked hard with Mark (Glover) and the crew at ‘Respect for Animals’ http://www.respectforanimals.org/ here in England to get a national fur ban in Serbia – http://www.respectforanimals.org/serbian-fur-farming-ban-comes-into-force/ – it eventually happened – something we all saw as a positive result. 

Thousands of Chinchillas were to be saved ! – Job Done !

Regards Mark

Enjoy a fast trip through Wales !

Get down and dirty !

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

England: Cage Enrichment on Fur Farms is Not a Viable Option.

From our animal buddy Mark Glover at ‘Respect for Animals’ – Nottingham England.

Respect for Animals | Campaign against animal fur – Fur for Animals

Cage enrichment on fur farms is not a viable option

5 September 2023

RFA

A new scientific briefing paper confirms that attempts to introduce cage enrichment or alternative housing systems as a means of improving welfare on fur farms are doomed to fail, and only a ban is a

https://youtu.be/MFP4dT_nIL4viable option to ensure the welfare of mink, foxes and raccoon dogs.

The report, which provides an overview of the current standards of housing of animals farmed for fur also examines the scientific evidence on the possibility of meeting the welfare needs of these species, either through enrichment/enlargement of cage systems or development of alternative housing systems.

Cage enrichment on fur farms: Inadequate and unworkable | Eurogroup for Animals

It concludes that scientific evidence and experience in various EU countries clearly shows that “enrichment/enlargement of cage systems is not able to address the major welfare issues for mink, foxes and raccoon dogs farmed for fur and there are insurmountable obstacles to the development of more extensive alternative systems.” This makes it impossible for the needs of mink, foxes and raccoon dogs to be met by the fur industry. A ban is the only viable solution to the serious welfare problems of animals farmed for fur.

By the end of 2023, the European Commission is set to publish a proposal for a revised animal welfare legislation. A leak of the draft Impact Assessment report on the revision of animal welfare legislation suggested ‘improved’ animal welfare requirements as an option for fur farmed animals, ‘while ensuring that it remains economically viable to farm fur animals under those conditions’. However, the evidence once again shows that this is not a viable solution.

1.5 million signatures have been submitted to the Commission calling for a Fur Free Europe, and a majority of Member States called on the EC to introduce a ban on fur farming. 

This report sends a stark message to European decision makers that a move towards legislating for cage enrichment on fur farms would be doomed to fail. Any such plans must be immediately discarded. There are inherent welfare failures with fur farming that cannot be resolved by tinkering around with cage standards.  The science is clear and is summarised in this new briefing paper. If the European Commission is serious about improving animal welfare in the EU, then a full ban on fur farming is a necessity.

Mark Glover, Campaigns Director, Respect for Animals

The science is clear – only a total ban on fur farms will truly protect animal welfare. Member states and EU Citizens have made their voice heard, the ball remains in the European Commission’s court, to end this cruel practice once and for all.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News, Hunting, Live Transport

England: Animal Welfare – Conservative and Labour Political Parties.

Photo – Mark – Mrs Plod makes sure I behave !

I do not aim for this to be a politically biased site – in my view they are all liars and make false election promises which thereafter they often fail to keep.

For those of you who are non UK resident, we have here 2 main political parties – namely the Conservatives and Labour.  The Conservatives (Tories) form the current government with a majority of MPs, and Labour is in opposition.

The Tories have been in power for 12 years,following the General Election in May 2010.

Many people now consider it is time for a change.

There will almost certainly be a General Election where citizens vote for a government in 2024.

Each party has an area associated with animal welfare – and here are the links:

Conservatives – About Us | Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation

Labour – https://www.labouranimalwelfaresociety.org.uk/

The Conservatives have promised a lot – and then failed:  England: Here We Go Again – Government Bullshit Promises On Actions ALREADY Making Their Way Through Parliament Which Would Have Given Animals More Protection. – World Animals Voice

After Brexit, we were promised legislation to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and further fattening.  Despite personally being involved in a government consultation; at wich I personally presented over 50 A4 pages of evidence as to why live transport should be banned; the Tories have now pulled the plug and are not moving on with this – see last link for more.

CAWG says:

We have been disappointed by moves to drop the long-promised Consultation on animal welfare labelling, and the discontinuation of the Kept Animals Bill (which included an end to live exports for fattening and slaughter). While we remain supportive of the Government’s approach to deliver these measures through alternative legislative vehicles, we fear not all of these can become law before the next General Election.

Maybe not as disappointed as you will be at the next General Election !!

We now wait for Labour to move forward with the issue – animal welfare is a big vote winner – the problem is some political parties do not recognise this.

As I previously said, this site is not politically biased; I attempt to proide info and some links, as I have done here, and then individuals can further research as required.

Regards Mark

Associated live export consultation links:

England: Full Info on the UK Ban Live Exports Consultation. Finishes End of Jan 2021. – World Animals Voice

UK: Live Exports (Ban) Consultation. – World Animals Voice

UK; Live Animal Export Ban Is Progressing Through Parliament. – World Animals Voice

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

USA: Animal rights activists released 3,000 minks from a Wisconsin farm during a late-night heist

Animal rights activists released 3,000 minks from a Wisconsin farm during a late-night heist

Animal rights activists released 3,000 minks from a Wisconsin farm during a late-night heist (yahoo.com)

Animal rights activists broke in to a Wisconsin farm and released 3,000 minks into the wild.

They took responsibility via anonymous message on a site run by the Animal Liberation Front.

Police told a local outlet that 90% of the minks had been recovered in five days.

Thousands of minks ran wild in western Wisconsin after animal rights activists held a late-night heist to bust them out of a fur farm.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

Lithuania: INSIDE THE KILLING BOX: MINK GASSED ON LITHUANIAN FUR FARMS.

INSIDE THE KILLING BOX: MINK GASSED ON LITHUANIAN FUR FARMS

By ‘Respect for Animals’, England. https://respectforanimals.org/

Lithuanian animal protection organisation, and colleagues of Respect for Animals in the Fur Free Alliance, “Tušti narvai” today publishes shocking footage that reveals the cruel reality for animals killed for their fur. The new undercover investigation into fur farms in Lithuania reveals animals punched, thrown, and suffocated in gas chambers, and for the first time includes clear footage from inside a killing box. 

WARNING – Footage showing the reality of life and death on fur farms.

INSIDE THE KILLING BOX: MINK GASSED ON LITHUANIAN FUR FARMS | Respect for Animals

Regards Mark