The United Kingdom recently called for evidence to hear from both industry and the public to help guide future policy on the fur trade. The call for evidence was launched jointly with the Scottish and Welsh governments and asks for views on animal welfare as well as the social and economic impacts associated with the trade, both in the country and overseas.

“We already have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and as an independent nation we are now able to re-examine some of our animal welfare laws, including the import of fur for use in fashion products. The views, data and case studies we receive will be vital to helping to inform future government policy in this area including by better understanding the trade both at home and abroad,” UK environment secretary George Eustice said in a press release.

The call for evidence concerns the commercial trade in fur only and does not focus on non-commercial, private activity like transactions and exchanges between private individuals and would also help the government understand the case for any potential exemptions relating to future policies in this area, the press release said.

Fur farming has been banned in England and Wales since 2000 and since 2002 in Scotland. Strict rules are already in place for certain skin and fur products, including from commercial seal hunts and domestic cats and dogs, prohibiting them from being imported into the United Kingdom.

The call for evidence is part of a series of plans outlined in the government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which builds on our existing world leading standards by recognising animals as sentient in law and committing to a range of new game changing welfare measures to protect pets, livestock and wild animals.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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