Respect for Animals, Britain’s leading anti-fur organisation, has praised Aylesbury Vale District Council for banning the sale of real fur from all council-run markets in the district. The Council has officially signed up to the Fur Free Markets scheme and qualifies for the top five star rating from Respect for Animals, making it one of the best councils in the country for their policy on real fur.
The selling of real fur at markets in the UK, especially Christmas markets, has become a major problem in recent years. Many customers have bought real fur thinking it is fake due to the cheap price and lack of labeling of real fur products.
Respect for Animals has documented numerous cases where hats with real fur bobbles and fake fur bobbles are being sold at the same market, unlabelled, for the same price. Real fur can be imported very cheaply from countries where there is virtually no enforced animal welfare legislation.
Participation in the Fur Free Markets scheme is free to all councils and offers exclusive use of branding and assistance with testing of suspected fur items.
Mark Glover, Campaign Director at Respect for Animals, said:
“Respect for Animals receives numerous complaints from members of the public about real fur on sale at their local markets. Aylesbury Vale District Council deserves great praise for ending the sale of real fur in the district. Shoppers will be able to enjoy markets, including the next Christmas markets without worrying about potentially buying products from the barbaric fur trade.”
Paul Kirkham, Aylesbury Market Manager, commented:
“I’m very pleased that Aylesbury Market has joined up to the Fur Free Markets scheme. At Aylesbury market we are passionate about working with different partners to provide reassurance to our visitors that they can shop with confidence. This scheme provides peace of mind to all our shoppers that the market is fur free.
“As well as being part of the Fur Free Markets scheme, Aylesbury Market is also proud to be Dementia-friendly, offering a safe and welcoming space to visit and shop as well as a signed up member of the Real Deal scheme demonstrating our commitment to safe and fair trading.”
Respect for Animals supports the enforcement of the Fur Free Markets policy by microscopically testing dubious items free of charge. No financial commitments are required by market operators and they are given free access to Fur Free Markets branding. Markets that are officially designated Fur Free Markets have the gold standard of assurance for consumers concerned about accidentally buying real fur.
More information on Aylesbury and Winslow markets can be found here: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/section/markets .
