The Italian Senate has voted in favour of banning fur farming and the breeding of fur-bearing animals including mink, foxes, and chinchillas in a historic victory
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Italy is to ban fur farms and to shut down all mink farms within six months following a vote from the Italian Senate.
The Budget Committee of the Italian Senate voted in favour of closing the country’s 10 remaining mink fur farms.
Animal protection organisation Humane Society International (HSI), proposed the ban after an outbreak of Covid-19 in mink farms across Europe in December, deeming the farms a ‘public health risk’.
Moreover, the final decision by the Italian parliament is likely to go through by the end of the year.
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Italy fur ban
Italy’s proposal to close all fur farms could come into effect by June 2022.
While the ban on breeding fur-bearing animals will come into immediate effect.
In addition, the approved budget law amendment will also include compensation for farmers for a total of 3 million euros.
Martina Pluda, Director of HSI in Italy, shared: “This is a historic victory for animal protection in Italy, and HSI/Europe is immensely proud that our fur farm conversion strategy has played a central role in dismantling this cruel and dangerous industry in our country.
“There are very clear economic, environmental, public health and of course animal welfare reasons to close and ban fur farms.”
President of the Parliamentary Intergroup for Animal Rights in Italy, Hon. Michela Vittoria Brambilla added: “In thirty years of animal rights battle this is the best victory.
“Finally, a parliamentary vote sanctions the end of unspeakable suffering inflicted on animals only in the name of profit and vanity.”
Furthermore, it is confirmed that 465 mink farms in 12 countries have had an outbreak of Covid-19.
The close proximity and inhumane condition the animals are stored has become a breeding ground for zoonotic diseases.
Additionally, the World Health Organisation warned Italy’s fur farms were also ‘likely’ to introduce and spread SARS-CoV-2.
Fur-free fashion
Over the years, many high fashion brands have ditched fur for sustainable, cruelty-free materials.
Italian designers such as Gucci, Armani, and Valentino have committed to no longer use real fur.
With more designers turning their backs on the fur industry, fur farms across the world have closed their doors for good.
Countries such as France, Hungary, and the Netherlands have joined the fight in dismantling fur farms.
Furthermore, we hope Italy’s move to ban fur farms will influence other countries to wake up and end this barbaric process.
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