Fur: Import and Sale Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Steve Witherden
Main Page: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)Department Debates - View all Steve Witherden's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Fur: Import and Sale
Steve Witherden Excerpts(1 day, 7 hours ago)
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Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Jardine. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Newport West and Islwyn (Ruth Jones) for securing the debate and for all her dedicated work to bring us closer to achieving a truly fur-free Britain.
The UK was the first country in the world to ban fur farming. That is a stance of which we should rightly be proud. It has set an example for others to follow: since our decision, 21 other countries have taken the same step to end fur production. However, we still permit the import and sale of fur and fur products, effectively outsourcing the cruelty. Our position should be consistent. If fur is too cruel to farm here, it is too cruel, full stop. I strongly support my hon. Friend’s fur Bill, which would prohibit the importation and sale of fur in the UK.
The case for ending the UK’s role in supporting the fur industry, whether directly or indirectly, rests on three central arguments: cruelty, environmental harm and the risks to human health. First, there is the cruelty. There is no such thing as humane fur farming. It is estimated that each year more than 100 million animals are killed worldwide, solely for their fur. Some 95% of fur on the global market comes from fur farms, where animals spend their entire lives in cages that are typically only slightly larger than the animals themselves. Such conditions subject them to enormous mental and physical suffering. Many animals exhibit signs of severe distress, including self-mutilation and cannibalism, because the environment is so unnatural and restrictive.
Secondly, fur farming is exceptionally damaging to the environment. The carbon footprint associated with producing animal fur is shockingly high. For example, producing 1 kg of mink fur creates seven times more emissions than producing 1 kg of beef. On top of that, the tanning and dyeing processes rely on a cocktail of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals to prevent the pelts from decomposing.
Finally, the industry poses risks to human health. In recent years, there have been hundreds of outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome and highly pathogenic avian influenza on fur farms, clearly illustrating the threat that the industry presents to public health. Let us not forget that during the covid-19 pandemic, millions of animals were culled and fur farming was halted in several countries, yet now the practice continues.
A ban on the import and sale of fur would strengthen the UK’s reputation as a global leader on animal welfare and would let us take a firm stance on the environmental and health concerns associated with the trade. It would set an important precedent for other countries, just as our original ban on fur farming did. We have a clear opportunity to end the double standard. I urge the Government to support my hon. Friend’s Bill. Diolch yn fawr.