Italy Bans Fur Farming

​www.hsi.org/news-media/in-an-historic-vote-italy-to-ban-fur-farming-and-shut-down-all-mink-farms-within-six-months/

Italy has voted making it official; fur-farming is banned within the country. In a historic vote, Italy will see it's 10 remaining mink fur-farms shut down within six months with an immediate ban on the breeding of fur-bearing animals like mink, chinchillas, and foxes. Fur farmers are being given a grand total of 3 million euros to help them switch to more sustainable farming options in lieu of their farms being shut down. Italy will become the 16th country within the European Union to ban fur-farming.

It's unsurprising that Italy has chosen to ban fur-farming as some its biggest fashion brands have already banned fur from their designs. With only 10 mink fur-farms remaining in the country, it's evident that the fur industry was already on its way out. As we know from the pandemic, the mink fur industry was heavily impacted by the rapid spread of covid and the susceptibility of mink to catch and transmit the virus. Millions of mink were euthanized across the globe, sending a massive ripple through an already crippled industry. 

The fur industry is on track to be nothing more than a stain in our history. We're seeing a rapid change in the views on fur and governments across the globe are hearing these voices and recognizing the needlessness of the fur industry. It seems as though every few days a story emerges about a large fashion brand or country around the world has come out and banned fur. It's only a matter of time before the industry completely fizzles out but we must remember; a ban on fur-farming is NOT a ban on fur entirely. It means that the country will no longer produce fur products but makes no mention of whether imports will also be banned. This is often the first step towards a full ban on fur but it's an unnecessary stepping stone that takes a hypocritical position on fur.

While it's amazing that Italy has made this decision to end their production of fur, the fight is not over. Canada continues to produce fur products despite Canadians statistically not being supportive of the industry. Our animal rights track record is abysmal at this point and we have a long way to go here for our country to be on track with our current views on the welfare of animals. There is absolutely no place in modern society for fur products any longer. It's almost embarrassing that as a country who projects a compassionate & progressive image, we have almost completely turned our backs on animals. 

We need a global ban on fur-farming. It's long overdue at this point. With that being said, congratulations Italy on ending your production of fur. 

HAPPY VEG