Italy to Ban Fur Farming, Close Mink Fur Farms – WWD

MILAN – Italy permanent ban fur across the country and plans to close the remaining 10 mink farms within six months.

The Budget Committee of the Italian Senate has voted to adopt the revised version of an amendment to the budget law, which contains the historic decision. Congress will make a final decision in the coming weeks.

If it passes, Italy will become the 16th European country to ban fur farming, following similar decisions by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Norway, among others.

As part of the approved amendment, Italy is expected to ban the farming of minks, foxes, raccoons and chinchillas, with all operating farms set to close by June 30 next year. Farmers will receive a total of €3 million throughout 2022 to cover business losses during the shutdown.

While this would mark the first tangible stance taken by the Italian government, many Italian design brands have abandoned the use of real fur in recent years, including Prada, Versace, Valentine, Gucci, Giorgio Armani and Furla.

The vote follows ongoing conversations with the European branch of the animal welfare organization Humane Society International, which provides a strategic solution to transforming fur farms into alternative businesses.

“This is a historic victory for animal protection in Italy… There are many obvious economic, environmental, public health and, of course, animal rights reasons to close and ban the zoos. fur farm. Today’s vote recognizes that allowing the mass breeding of wild animals for frivolous fur fashion represents a risk to both animals and humans that cannot be justified by the benefits. the limited economic benefits it provides for the small minority of people involved in this cruel industry,” said Martina Pluda, director of the International Humanitarian Organization in Italy.

The plan has been endorsed by Michela Vittoria Brambilla, a moderate right-wing member of parliament who has campaigned for animal rights in recent years, and Loredana De Petris, a winged senator. description, who submitted the amendment.

“In 30 years of fighting for animal rights, this is the greatest victory. Finally, a punitive parliamentary vote put an end to the incalculable suffering inflicted on animals only in the name of profit and vanity. Italy is the 20th European country to introduce a ban or severe restriction on fur farming: better late than never,” Brambilla said.

Contacted by WWD, Mark Oaten, executive director of the International Fur Federation, thinks the move is still in the early stages as it has already been approved under budget law.

“We understand that there will be many votes due in the next few days. If a moratorium becomes law, this will be a great pity as farmers will lose income and we will prevent a highly managed and sustainable agricultural industry from being allowed to freely grow crops,” said the executive director. act said. “I fear if they ban fur breeders, they will soon switch to banning cows and raising chickens and pigs because these days political parties are very afraid of animal rights groups.”

Several brands have pledged to go fur-free over the past few years internationally, from Michael Kors and Burberry to Chanel and Oscar de la Renta, as well as All trademarks owned by Kering, see it as a step forward in more sustainable practices – although fur advocates insist that natural fur is more sustainable than faux. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have also taken steps to ban fur.