The fur-free movement has received an extra-special Christmas present this year with the news that the Budget Committee of the Italian Senate voted to approve an amendment which will ban fur farming across Italy.
The amendment needs final approval from parliament, but Respect for Animals understands that this is expected to pass.
Like many mink factory farms around the world, Italy saw serious Covid-19 outbreaks among the animals, who are kept in sordid and cramped conditions. This led to a temporary suspension on fur farming in Italy until the end of 2021. Prior to Covid, more than 60,000 animals were killed for their fur in Italy every year, on the remaining 5 fur factory farms.
Respect for Animals wishes to single out our Fur Free Alliance colleagues at Italian animal protection organisation LAV, who have been fighting for an end to Italian fur farming for many years.
“Italy is a more civilised country, we have put an end to a cruel, anachronistic, unjustifiable industry that has no more reason to exist in a civil society where the value of respect for animals, as sentient beings, is always more widespread and rooted”, said Simone Pavesi, Animal Free Fashion Area Manager at LAV.
The approved amendment (courtesy of LAV)
- Fur farming ban (for all species, not only mink), as already established by almost twenty other European countries, from 1st January 2022.
- Dismantling by 30th June 2022 of the 5 farms which in 2020 produced 60,000 mink per year; and, at the same time, confirmation of the breeding ban already in place since last January for the 7,039 breeders still held in these farms.
- A Decree of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health will be issued by 31st January 2022 to regulate eventual change of ownership, sterilisation and detention of mink from former fur farms to sanctuaries/shelters preferably managed directly or in collaboration with recognised animal rights associations.
- State indemnities up to a maximum of 3 million euros for the closure and disposal of each farm, as well as 3 million euros in total for their conversion into the production of clean energy, to be assigned by 31 January 2022.
