The Estonian parliament has passed a landmark law banning fur farming in the country. This makes Estonia the 14th European nation to ban the breeding of animals in order to kill them and sell their fur. However, it will be until 2026 before the ban is finally enacted entirely.
The Estonian population is believed to be strongly against fur farming, with 75% declaring their opposition in opinion polls.
Critics have said that is profoundly immoral to breed animals imply for their fur when there are so many synthetic materials available that do not rely on the killing of animals. They also point out that many animals caught in the fur-farming trade live terrible lives trapped in cages with a terrible quality of life before they are eventually killed.
While the ban has only now been put in place, the number of animals thought to be trapped on fur farms has been decreasing since 2009 when a ban was first discussed. In 2009 as many as 200,000 animals were on fur farms compared to just around 1,000 today.
Connor Jackson, CEO of Open Cages, told ERR News:
"It's a great day for the thousands of animals who will be saved from a life of suffering thanks to Estonia passing this law."
Estonia has BANNED FUR FARMING! Our colleagues Nähtamatud Loomad have fought for years for this historic victory that will save thousands of animals from suffering!
— Open Cages (@OpenCagesUK) June 2, 2021
Now time for @DefraGovUK to create a #FurFreeBritain! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QrElzgX8KK
While many nations have banned fur-farming, almost none of them have banned the sale of fur. What this means is that breeding and trade of live animals for their furs has in many ways simply been exported abroad.
Even in the United Kingdom, which was the first European country to ban fur farms, there are still mass sales of fur from abroad. Polls indicate that over 70% of UK citizens would support restrictions being imposed on the sale and importation of fur into the UK.
A spokesperson for the Human Society International, said of fur imports to the UK:
"The majority of Brits want nothing to do with the cruelty of fur farming and trapping and support a ban on fur being imported and sold here. This is an important opportunity for both individual consumers and fashion businesses to let the government know that fur is firmly out of fashion in the UK."
A post shared by HSI United Kingdom (@hsiukorg)
Many major fashion labels have long refused to engage in the use of fur or even fake fur in their products.
[h/t: LIVEKINDLY]
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