UK calls for evidence as it moves closer to fur sales ban

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jun 1, 2021

The UK government has launched a formal ‘Call for Evidence’ enquiry on the possible banning of the imports and sale of animal fur. The formal request for information follows a 1 million-signature petition and strong support from British celebrities, designers and retailers.

The move, in response to the high-profile #FurFreeBritain campaign, has been welcomed by the UK arm of the Humane Society International (HSI), which has published its latest opinion poll showing 72% of the public support a fur import and sales ban.

The poll also showed 52% ‘strongly support’ a ban. Just 12% were opposed, while 14% were neutral and 3% answered that they did not know. 

Support is strongest in Wales, which showed 82% public support for a ban, and only 6% opposed. 

Claire Bass, executive director for HSI/UK said: “Hopefully [this is] the first concrete step towards banning the sale of cruel fur in the UK. 

“Our latest opinion poll confirms what previous polls have consistently shown, that the majority of Brits want nothing to do with the cruelty of fur farming and trapping and support a ban on fur being imported and sold here". 

She added: “As the government defines the UK as a new independent nation in trade, it’s critical that we use this moment to stop bankrolling cruel industries overseas – we banned fur farming here because it was too cruel so we should not be paying people overseas to incarcerate animals for their whole lives in tiny cages all for a bobble hat or hood trim".

In April, a petition of more than one million signatures was handed in to No.10 Downing Street by the #FurFreeBritain coalition which comprises Humane Society International, PETA UK, Four Paws, RSPCA, Viva!, Open Cages, Brian May’s Save Me, The Jane Goodall Institute, and Animal Aid. 

In February, Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a letter signed by 50 celebrities, including Dame Judi Dench, Dr Brian May, Leona Lewis, Alesha Dixon and Ricky Gervais, backing a ban.

Fur farming has been banned across Britain since 2003, but since then the UK has imported more than £800 million worth of animal fur from countries including Finland, China, France and Poland.