7 July 2022

Opposition to fur farming is strong and continues to gather momentum all around the world. This reflects growing attitudes against fur due to the cruelty inherent in its production.

Here is a breakdown of key opinion poll findings about public attitudes to fur farming.

Austria

Survey of 1028 individuals (aged 18-64) conducted by Kantar (commissioned by Vier Pfoten) in October 2020.

83% consider keeping and killing animals for fur for the fashion industry is unjustifiable.

Belgium 

Survey of 1000 Flemish individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by IPSOS (commissioned by GAIA) in March-April 2015.

85% are in favour of a ban on the keeping and breeding of animals for fur production (an earlier 2012 survey, representative of the population of the whole of Belgium, found similar results, with 86% in favour of a ban). 

Bulgaria

Survey of 800 individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by Sova Haris (commissioned by CAAI) in April 2021.

81% do not support the killing of animals solely for their fur, 3% support it, 16% can’t decide

Croatia 

Survey of 1000 individuals (aged ≥16) conducted by SPEM Communication Group Zagreb (commissioned by Animal Friends) in October 2006.

74% agree that breeding animals for fur should be banned (12% disagree; 14% don’t know). 

Czech Republic

Survey of 1035 individuals (aged 18 and over) conducted by CVVM (commissioned by Svoboda zvirat) in March/April 2017.

82% do not agree with killing animals for fur.

Estonia

National omnibus survey of 718 individuals (aged 18-60) conducted by Kantar Emor (commissioned by Loomus) in September 2020.

75% disapprove of raising and killing animals like mink and foxes for fur.

Finland

Survey of 10001 individuals (aged 15-79) conducted by Taloustutkimus in November 2020.

62% think that breeding and killing animals for fur is not acceptable. 

France

Survey of 1000 individuals (aged 15 and over) conducted by IPSOS (commissioned by One Voice) in August 2017.

51% think the breeding of animals for fur should end.

Germany

Survey of 1046 individuals (aged 18-64) conducted by Kantar (commissioned by Vier Pfoten) in October 2020.

84% consider keeping and killing animals for fur for the fashion industry is unjustifiable.

Greece

Survey of 1200 individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by Metron Analysis (commissioned by VeGaia) in December 2018.

80% oppose the breeding and killing of animals for commercial exploitation for fur.

Ireland

Survey of 1043 individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by Red C (commissioned by Respect for Animals) in October 2018.

82% consider breeding and killing animals just for fur unacceptable.

or 80% agree that the farming and killing of animals for their fur should be banned.

Italy

Survey of 1042 individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by Eurispes between December 2013 and January 2015. 

91% are opposed to activities linked to the production of fur using animals.

Latvia

Survey of 1005 individuals (aged 18-75) conducted by SKDS (commissioned by Dzivnieku briviba) in June 2021.

63.4% do not support raising and killing foxes, minks and chinchillas to obtain fur.

Lithuania

Survey of 1000 individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by Vilmorus (commissioned by Tusti narvai) in November 2021.

77% consider the raising and killing of animals for fur unacceptable.

The Netherlands

Survey of 1017 individuals (aged 18-80) conducted by Motivaction (commissioned by Bont voor Dieren) in December 2021.

78% consider fur farming unacceptable.

Norway

Survey of 1000 individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by Respons Analyse (commissioned by NOAH) in October 2018.

64% think it is wrong to farm animals in cages for fur production.

Poland

Survey of 1000 individuals (aged ≥18 conducted by Centrum Badawczo-Rozwojowe Biostat (commissioned by Otwarte Klatki) in September 2019.

73% think the breeding of foxes, raccoon dogs and mink for fur should not be allowed.

Slovakia

Survey of 1004 individuals (aged ≥18) conducted by FOCUS Research (commissioned by Humánny pokrok) in November 2020.

70% consider breeding and killing animals just for fur unacceptable.

Spain

Survey of 802 individuals (aged 18-65) conducted by IPSOS (commissioned by Tu Abrigo Su Vida) in December 2021.

76% consider it unacceptable to breed and kill animals for their fur.

Sweden

Survey of 1046 individuals (aged 18-79) conducted by Novus (commissioned by Djurens Rätt) in April 2021.

76% think it should not be allowed to breed mink in cages for fur.

Switzerland

Survey of 993 individuals (aged 18-64) conducted by Kantar (commissioned by Vier Pfoten) in October 2020.

83% consider it unjustifiable to keep and kill animals for fur for the fashion industry.

UK

Survey of 1647 adults conducted by YouGov (commissioned by Humane Society International) in 2021.

93% consider it unacceptable to keep foxes for their whole lives in wire cages measuring 1-1.5m2.