Contact us T +32 (0)2 626 07 20 | info@europeangreens.eu

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Flickr

Donate

  • Login to your account
  • User account
  • About Us
    • Organisation
    • People
    • Networks and Working Groups
    • Guidelines
  • Our Positions
    • Positions
    • Resolutions
    • Policy Papers
    • Manifesto
  • Get involved
    • Climate Action
    • European Green Recovery Campaign
    • Green Talking Heads
    • European Ideas Lab
    • The Green Screen
    • Local Councillors' Network
    • Trans-Inclusive Feminist Campaign
  • Member Parties
  • News
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Brand Assets
    • Communications Team
  • Events
Home
  • About Us
  • Our Positions
  • Get involved
  • Member Parties
  • News
  • Events
  • Positions
    • Foreign and Security Policy
    • Europe and Democracy
    • Climate and Energy
    • Economy and Jobs
    • Human Rights and Migration
    • Social Justice and Health
    • Environment and Food
  • Resolutions
  • Policy Papers
  • Manifesto

Phasing out fur farming in Europe

Share
Share on FacebookShare on Twittershare on Linked Inshare on Google Plusshare via email

Resolution accepted at the 12th EGP Council, Barcelona, Spain, March 19-21, 2010

The import, export and the sale of cat and dog fur is already banned in the EU and last year (2009) EU also banned the import of seal products. Fur bearing mammals used in fur farming are still semi-wild species and their well-being in faming conditions is not possible. Some European countries have set regulations which guarantee reasonable conditions to these animals, but this has led to closing of fur farms for economic reasons.

The European Greens demand that the fur farming industry needs to be phased out due to the severe welfare problems for all the species reared for fur.

Already in 2001, the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (SCAHAW) prepared a report on the welfare of animals kept for fur farming in response to a request from the EU Commission. According to SCAHAW’s recommendation cages and management methods used for minks and foxes should be greatly improved in order to provide sufficient environmental complexity: all animals should for instance have ability to express valued species specific activities including social interactions, grooming, exploration and play.

Almost a decade has passed since the release of the report but the conditions in fur farms have not improved. Recently published terrified photographs from Finnish fur farms have shown this very clearly. Even there are some plans to improve living conditions of fur animals, like those new cage measures, which are to be implemented from the beginning of 2011, this does not offer solution to the severe welfare problems. These animals are intelligent and in their natural habitats use areas of several square kilometres.

The European Greens note that the Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes is in serious need of updating as animal welfare cannot be guaranteed under the present regulation which do not guarantee proper implementation of animal welfare standards.

The import, export and the sale of cat and dog fur is already banned in the EU and last year (2009) EU also banned the import of seal products. Fur bearing mammals used in fur farming are still semi-wild species and their well-being in faming conditions is not possible. Some European countries have set regulations which guarantee reasonable conditions to these animals, but this has led to closing of fur farms for economic reasons.

Various EU countries have already decided to restrict or ban fur farming or farming of certain fur animals. These decisions have been made as a result of the continuing welfare problems of the animals and the growing public interest in the animal welfare. Additionally, the fur industry is causing serious environmental problems, such as water pollution as a result of nitrogen and phosphorus releases and air pollution in the vicinity of fur farms due to ammonia.

The European Green Party points out the need to phase out fur farming as it causes severe suffering on animals, and calls on the European Union to quickly revise Council Directice 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes especially regarding the protection of animals kept for fur farming purposes.

 

 

Download the complete resolution in PDF format here...

Recent News

Icon:
Title:

The end of Roe vs. Wade in the US must push us to defend abortion rights in Europe

Post date:
30 June 2022
Body:

European Greens Co-Chair Mélanie Vogel (France), and Committee Members Mina Jack Tolu (Malta) and Malgorzata Tracz (Poland) speak out on the current state of abortion rights in Europe. Access to safe, legal and free abortion must be guaranteed across Europe and abroad to create a more humane world for all and protect those most marginalised!

Icon:
Title:

Dritan Abazović, the First Green Prime Minister of Montenegro: ‘Nothing is impossible!’

Post date:
23 June 2022
Body:

Dritan Abazović, president of our member party URA and Prime Minister of Montenegro since April 2022, is driving huge changes in a small Balkan country. URA was established in 2015 and represents all ethnicities and stands for a European, ecological and democratic Montenegro. Abazović's plans for Montenegro include ridding the country of corruption and pursuing a pro-European agenda.

Icon:
Title:

The European Greens welcome new candidate member parties Hållbart Initiativ and Progresīvie

Post date:
17 June 2022
Body:

Åland's Sustainable Initiative (Hållbart Initiativ) and Latvia's the Progressives (Progresīvie) have been accepted as our newest candidate member parties by delegates at the 35th European Green Party Council in Riga, Latvia. We are proud to welcome them into our Green family and to interview them to discuss their priorities in their respective countries.

More News

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Flickr
Tweet Contents:

RT @anna_cavazzini: Amazing news from Brazil: a historic Supreme Court ruling on climate change! 💪🏼

Tweet Author:
europeangreens
Creation Date:
5 hours ago
Tweet Contents:

✊ These policies are important steps forward, but we need more for the EU to live up to a 1.5°C future. As Greens, we will keep fighting for an ambitious European Green Deal! https://t.co/vktYxRddhj

Tweet Author:
europeangreens
Creation Date:
5 hours ago
Tweet Contents:

🚘 Learn more about the #SocialClimateFund and the #EmissionStandards for cars! https://t.co/19CrKbNEs8

Tweet Author:
europeangreens
Creation Date:
5 hours ago

Sign up to our newsletter

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Fill in the blank.

Take charge of your future. Donate Green.

Chip in today to help us build a Greener Europe!

Donate

  • Organisation
    • About
    • History
    • Councils
    • Congresses
    • Finance Advisory Board
    • Amendments Committee
    • Conciliation Panel
  • People
    • Committee
    • Team
    • Vacancies
    • Traineeships
  • Networks and Working Groups
    • Networks
      • Balkan
      • Gender
      • tilt!
      • Queer
      • Local Councillors
      • Seniors
    • Working Groups
      • Foreign and Security Policy
      • Future of Europe
      • Trade
  • Guidelines
    • Charter
    • Statutes
    • Rulebook
    • Finances
    • Privacy Policy
  • Our Positions
    • Positions
    • Resolutions
    • Policy Papers
    • Manifesto
  • Member Parties
  • News
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Brand Assets
    • Communications Team
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • The Green Screen
    • Climate Action for the People and the Planet
    • Trans-Inclusive Feminist Campaign
    • European Green Recovery Campaign
  • Donate
Home

Rue du Taciturne 34

B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

T +32 (0) 2 626 07 20

info@europeangreens.eu

© European Greens - With the financial support of the European Parliament. Sole liability remains with the author.

cookies