Fur Free Alliance Call for Fur Free Ireland
Eighty percent of Irish people believe that farming and killing of animals for their fur in Ireland should be banned, according to an opinion poll conducted by Red C Research in October 2018.
The ISPCA, Ireland’s largest national animal welfare organisation caring for all animals, are calling for a ban to be placed on fur farming in Ireland. They are also backing a Bill recently introduced in the Dáil by Solidarity TD, Deputy Ruth Coppinger.
The ISPCA, and Respect for Animals, both of which are members of Fur Free Alliance, are highlighting the necessity for a ban on fur farming in Ireland on animal welfare, ethical and moral grounds.
In Ireland, there are three fur farms located in Donegal, Kerry and Laois containing up to 200,000 mink, farmed in tiny wire mesh battery cages, only to suffer a cruel and inhumane death by gassing.
“There is overwhelming scientific evidence that fur farming is cruel. Mink are essentially wild animals and keeping them in small cages in which they are deprived of the ability to express their normal behaviours such as swimming and foraging is not acceptable,” said Dr Andrew Kelly, CEO of the ISPCA.
“Every year approximately 150,000 mink are killed in Ireland solely for a non-essential fashion item which is simply unacceptable. We are calling on the government to put an end to this inhumane practice. Many EU member states have already adopted legislation to prohibit or limit fur farming and we want Ireland to put an end to this barbaric practice which should be consigned to the dustbin of history,” Dr Kelly added.
When mink are kept in these unsuitable conditions they often exhibit stress related physical or behavioural symptoms such as repetitive circling, fur-chewing and self-mutilation, which often causes serious injuries and open wounds which can become infected.
A scientific review conducted by Respect for Animals in 2015 investigating welfare standards for mink on fur farms found that the welfare of mink farmed for their fur is seriously compromised by all existing fur farming practices.
“A ban is the only viable solution to the serious welfare concerns caused by the fur factory farming of mink. Fur farming is a disaster for animal welfare and it is clear from the opinion poll results released today that such a ban has huge support from the Irish public,” stated Mark Glover of Respect for Animals & Fur Free Alliance.
“The fur industry is keen to promote fur as a ‘green’ product, but nothing could be further from the truth. In reality fur production is a highly chemical and energy-consumptive process. Escaped mink have a serious impact on the environment, and native species and are listed in the top 100 most invasive species by the International union for Conservation of Nature,” Mr. Glover said.
Fur farming was banned in England and Wales in 2000, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2002 on the basis that fur farming is at odds with public morality.
