Over the course of the next six months, Italy will shut down remaining mink farms and ban fur farming throughout the whole country.
It has been proposed that once the farms have been closed, they will be converted into ‘alternative, humane and sustainable businesses’, an idea pledged by the Humane Society International in a bid to end animal cruelty and reduce public health risks.
According to HSI, the approved amendment includes:
- An immediate ban on breeding of fur-bearing animals including mink, foxes, raccoon dogs and chinchillas, and the closure of all active fur farms in Italy by 30th June 2022.
- Compensation for farmers, covered by a fund from the Ministry of Agriculture for a total of 3 million euros in 2022.
In addition to the ban, many other high-end fashion companies have either pledged or already made the transition into becoming a fur-free brand, including brands such as GUCCI, Prada, Valentino and Versace. Other brands such as ELLE have vouched to stop promoting animal fur, supporting the push to end animal cruelty.
Hon. Michela Vittoria Brambilla, president of the Parliamentary Intergroup for Animal Rights and of the Italian League for the Defense of Animals expressed her joy, stating:
”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. Italy is the twentieth European country to introduce a ban or severe restriction on fur farming: better late than never.”