Campaign to Ban Sale of Real Fur in England
Thanks to a campaign by Compassion in World Farming, the making of real fur is now banned in England on ethical grounds. But there is still no ban on its sale. Although not really fashionable, many London stores (including Harrods) continue to sell it, often to visitors rather than London residents.
There is also a campaign to have the Ministry of Defence switch to faux fur, to replace real bearskins used for guards at Buckingham Palace.
Good biodegradable faux furs have the same R-value (warmth) as real fur, without the cruelty. And real fur not ‘natural’ for humans, because it’s lined with synthetic materials, and chemicals are used to produce fur coats.
Sign the petition at Fur Free Britain to ban the sale of fur, an industry where animals spend their lives in cramped cages, and causes wild-trapped animals to suffer in snares or steel-jaw traps.
Ruth Jones (a Welsh Labour MP) has recently tabled a motion to ban the sale and import of fur. It’s presently going through Parliament. Write to your MP to urge support.
The appalling conditions on fur farms are perfect for viruses to mutate and spread (COVID-19 was identified on nearly 500 fur farms during the pandemic, and led governments in Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands to ban the practice.
As long as we allow the import of fur products into Britain, we are complicit both with the suffering of those animals, and the risks that come with it. I say it’s time we stop exposing the country to this potential danger, all for a bit of fashion. Ruth Jones MP
Always check labels, as DNA tests on some ‘faux fur trim’ and novelty ornaments in gift shops have been found to be from real fur.
Although previously it was thought cutting up fur coats to use for orphaned animals was a good idea, new advice is not to do this, as the fur is difficult to clean and could rot.
So just recycle old fur coats at textile banks. Fur coats are not good for homeless people, as they are heavy (especially when wet) to drag around, modern sleeping tents for homeless people are better.
Sign up as a Fur Free Retailer
Small shops can sign up to Fur Free Retailer, and you’ll receive a fox logo to display in your window, Active in 24 countries, there are no fees, just confirm (in writing) your credentials.
Boycott stores that sell real fur (like Harrods). This London shop even has a dress code, refusing to let in people who not appropriately dressed? So it’s okay to wear real fur, but not a pair of jeans?
Leona Lewis famously turned down a lot of money to turn on the store’s Christmas lights, due to its policy on selling real fur.
