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No Exploitation
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Fur Production Is Decreasing, Reaching Decades-Low Levels

Recent figures confirm that the fur industry is in a steep decline, as fur production has hit its lowest levels in decades. In 2023, global fur production plummeted by nearly 40% compared to the previous year, following a decade-long downward spiral that saw the industry shrink by a staggering 85%. In 2017, 236 mink fur farms existed in the US, but in 2022, only 110 remained. During that same period, the number of minks killed for their fur in the US declined from 3.3 million to 1.3 million.

Mink fur production in the EU dropped from 18 million pelts in 2020 to 7.5 million in 2022, whereas 700,000 fox pelts were produced last year, down from 1.2 million in 2020. In China, mink pelt production dropped from 9.3 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2022, and fox fur production was down from 12 million pelts in 2020 to 8 million in 2022.

Several factors have contributed to this downturn. Increased public awareness of the appalling conditions on fur farms has undoubtedly played a crucial role. Major fashion brands are responding to this shift in consumer sentiment, with companies like Prada, Gucci, Armani, Versace, Max Mara, and an additional 1600 brands having pledged to go fur-free.

Government bans and falling demand have forced fur farmers worldwide to close down their farms. In just five years, the number of fur farms in the EU fell from 4,350 in 2018 to 1,088 in 2023. In China, the world’s largest producer of fur, production has dropped by more than half since 2022.

Progress in the campaign to abolish fur has been achieved thanks to animal protection organisations such as the Fur Free Alliance, a coalition of more than 50 animal protection groups around the world, which brings campaigners together to work more effectively against the international fur industry. In over 25 years of existence, the network has helped to ensure more than 25 countries have introduced legislation to prohibit or restrict fur production based on animal welfare and ethics.

Take Action for Animals Exploited for Fashion: https://veganfta.com/take-action/animals-used-for-fashion/

Jordi Casamitjana

“Originally from Catalonia, but resident in the UK for several decades, Jordi is a vegan zoologist and author, who has been involved in different aspects of animal protection for many years. In addition to scientific research, he has worked mostly as an undercover investigator, animal welfare consultant, and animal protection campaigner. He has been an ethical vegan since 2002, and in 2020 he secured the legal protection of all ethical vegans in Great Britain from discrimination in a landmark employment tribunal case that was discussed all over the world. He is also the author of the book, ‘Ethical Vegan: a personal and political journey to change the world’.”