Animal rights activists are expressing outrage over the deplorable conditions at fur farms in Europe, as recently leaked videos shed light on the horrific mistreatment of animals. These shocking videos, which were secretly filmed at 31 fur farms across various European countries, including Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Spain, Denmark, and Latvia, were released by the Humane Society International (HSI) between April and November of this year. The footage exposes the alarming and inhumane living conditions endured by animals, with disturbing images of dead and mutilated foxes and minks suffering from severe eye infections.
In collaboration with the HSI, several animal rights organizations, such as Oikeutta elaimille in Finland, Otwarte Klatki in Poland, and Tu Abrigo Su Vida in Spain, conducted approximately 100 visits to these fur farms. The distressing photos and videos they captured, which have been reviewed by AFP, depict sick and convulsing animals confined in cages, as well as lifeless bodies with visible wounds. These distressing visuals provide undeniable evidence of the extreme suffering that animals are subjected to within the fur farming industry.
Driven by the alarming findings, the Humane Society International, along with the associated organizations, is advocating for a complete ban on fur farming throughout Europe. Wendy Higgins, a spokesperson for HSI, emphasizes the urgent need for action and asserts, “We need a Europe-wide ban on fur farming because it is quite evident that animal suffering is an integral part of the industry.” To support this cause, a petition demanding an end to the fur industry has garnered over 1.5 million signatures from citizens of the European Union, surpassing the required one million signatures for a response from the European Commission. The Commission is expected to provide a response by December 14, as stated by HSI.
However, the fur industry has dismissed these accusations, with Mark Oaten, the head of the International Fur Federation, defending the industry and discrediting the videos. Oaten claims that the activists involved in filming trespassed on the farms and manipulated the footage to mislead the public. Despite these claims, Oaten welcomes a scientific review of fur farming at the European Union level, asserting that the industry has nothing to hide.
The potential ramifications of a complete ban on fur farming are not lost on Oaten. He cautions that such a ban would result in significant job losses within an industry valued at $18 billion worldwide. Currently, 20 European countries have already prohibited fur farming, including 15 member states of the European Union. Finland, the leading fur farming country in Europe, houses approximately 400 farms and over 1.3 million animals, primarily minks and foxes. Denmark, which previously held the lead in fur farming, reinstated mink farming in January 2023 after a temporary ban during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of mutated strains of the virus.
Amidst growing concerns for animal welfare and the overwhelming evidence of widespread mistreatment within the fur farming industry, activists are pressing for immediate action and hoping for a Europe-wide ban to protect the countless animals suffering under these conditions. The future of the industry now lies in the hands of the European Commission and its forthcoming response to the petition.
Useful Links:
1. Humane Society International
2. Animal Equality
