September 16, 2021 –
From Plant-Based News
48 views

Reading Time: 2 minutes

This week, the UK government debated a ban on the import and sale of animal fur, after a one million strong petition urged for better welfare protections.

The discussion, which was the first on the topic since the UK left the European Union, saw politicians from all parties speak up in support of ending the ‘bloody business’.

Fur import and sales ban

While the UK banned fur farming 20 years ago, the country imports millions of pounds worth of animal fur from overseas. According to the leading animal advocacy charity, Humane Society International UK (HSI/UK), this totals ÂŁ800 million.

Currently, the UK imports fur from countries such as Finland, China, France, and Poland. Here, foxes and mink spend their lives in cramped cages, HSI/UK adds.

Notable comments in the debate include MP Christian Wakeford labeling current import rules a ‘double-standard’. Moreover, it’s an ‘outdated’ industry that is ‘out of touch with modern values’, Wakeford said.

Despite welcoming the views on ending the trade, Labour MP Taiwo Owatemi called for action over ‘warm words’ from the government.

They said: “
Banning the fur trade in its entirety, including fur imports, would be a bold step towards reaching these aims.”

‘Nation of animal lovers’

After the debate, the charity’s executive director Claire Bass released a statement. Bass told PBN: “Every MP who spoke at this debate reflected the views of their constituents by supporting a ban on fur imports and sales. And, calling for Britain to end its bloody business with the international fur trade.

“If we are a nation of animal lovers, Britain cannot remain complicit in the appalling suffering of millions of fur-bearing animals caged or trapped overseas, all for frivolous fur fashion.

“We urge government to consign fur cruelty to the history books. By introducing legislation to ban the import and sale of real animal fur as soon as possible.”

On behalf of the government, Defra Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Rebecca Pow MP assured it was a priority.

Pow added that no next steps would be introduced today and that the government is building evidence with a view to informing future policies. 

It comes months after the government issued a Call for Evidence to collect public opinion.

You can sign the Fur Free Britain petition here



Source: Plantbasednews.org

This Company is Producing Bioprinted Fur, Wool & Eyelashes Which Could Make Fur Farms Obsolete Ann Arbor, Michigan Passes Citywide Ban on Fur Unleash Your Creativity to Promote Animal Welfare at AWBP Trust’s PAW 2021 Competition The Biggest Animal Welfare Laws of 2021 PETA Statement: Animal Welfare Violations at the University of Maryland–Baltimore Bill Introduced By UK Government To Ban Cages For Laying Hens After a 23-Year Ban, Animal Testing For Cosmetic Industry Could Be Reinstated in the UK Mexico Becomes First Country In North America To Ban Animal Testing For Cosmetics Mexico makes history as the first country in North America to ban animal testing for cosmetics Default ThumbnailWe Can Slash Carbon Emissions by 90 Percent by 2035. But Government Subsidies for Animal Agriculture Must End First. Whistleblower Tips Prompt PETA to Push for Probe Into Young Orca’s Death PETA Honors Former Animal Experimenter Turned Animal Rights Advocate With a Trailblazing Advocacy Award