Last week, the Riigikogu voted to ban fur farming in Estonia, making the country the first of the Baltic states to do so. The issue has been under discussion in Estonia since 2009, and this is the third time that the Riigikogu have voted on it, with the potential ban being defeated in both 2017 and 2019. This time though, the margin was comprehensive, with 56 members of the parliament voting in favour of the ban, and 19 against it. Just how big an immediate difference this vote actually makes remains to be seen. The industry continues in Latvia and Lithuania, and if the past is anything to go by, then fur farms can simply relocate a few hundred kilometres and continue. In Lithuania, figures from the Agriculture Ministry show that there 71 mink breeders growing about 1.9 million animals. The reality is that many of those farms, as well as several in Latvia, are actually owned by Dutch and Danish companies. The Netherlands ban on breeding mink came into effect at the end of 2020, and some of the largest companies bought existing farms in or moved their operations to other European countries. The other thing to bear in mind is that this is not an immediate change. Instead the ban on keeping mink and raccoon dogs will only be prohibited from January 1 st 2026 for farms that already have current permits. The bill of amendments to the Animal Protection Act and Nature Conservation Act passed by the Riigikogu does not threaten breeders of animals like sheep or rabbits, as it only covers the farming of animals where fur production is the only or main purpose. Annaliisa Post, the head of communications at Estonian animal welfare organization Loomus, hailed the ban as a historic victory. "We have been working for this for years and we are extremely pleased that Estonia became the first Baltic state to ban fur farms. With this decision, we are setting an example both for neighbouring countries and in the wider world. No animal should suffer for human vanity and we are grateful to the members of the Riigikogu for making an animal-friendly decision." While many national and international animal welfare organisations have issued statements of support for the ban, the sentiment was not shared by fur breeders in the country, who are planning to bring a court action exceeding €10 million against the state In addition to the increasing public distaste for fur farming, the industry in Europe has had a tough year, due to fears of cross-species Coronavirus transmission. Authorities in Denmark, the world’s biggest mink exporter, slaughtered an estimated 15-17 million animals in late 2020 after some tested positive for a mutated form of the coronavirus, raising concerns that vaccine-resistant strains could recirculate in humans. Although Estonia is the first state in the Baltics to make the move, it is far from the first European country to ban fur farms. The United Kingdom imposed the ban back in 2000, and Austria followed in 2005. Bans have also been adopted by North Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Luxembourg, Serbia, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Several others, like Belgium, France, Norway, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have voted a ban into effect, but are currently in their own transitional periods.

Very good news. The problem is not the idea to use fur to make anything but the way that animals are treated in fur farms, it is terrible.

Estonia becomes the first Baltic State to ban fur farming

Arvīds

fur breeders in the country, who are planning to bring a court action exceeding €10 million against the state

I am interested in how this ends up. Should businesses that have to close down or change what they do when government makes new rules be able to get some kind of compensation or have rights to take legal action.

Probably there will be more of these kind of challenges as governments make new climate change rules.

Vilte

In the US, we don't have any bans on fur framing mink or foxes. In California they banned selling fur but it is still ok to farm it there I think, seems strange.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

I don't think that anyone needs farmed fur.

It was necessary for warmth a long time ago, but we have modern alternatives that are just as good or better. If it just for the sake of looking pretty then nobody really needs it.

Žaklīna

Julie Brooks-Girskiene I don't think that anyone needs farmed fur.

100% agree!

People only wear it now as a fashion choice, and it's one where most people who see them look at them badly.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Žaklīna People only wear it now as a fashion choice, and it's one where most people who see them look at them badly.

I was thinking a similar thing, I'm not sure I would want to wear fur in public these days even if I really loved it, I don't, because of other people's negative reactions to it.

I am Ashlynn

Julie Brooks-Girskiene I'm not sure I would want to wear fur in public these days even if I really loved it,

Yes, I thought this!

But arrive people don't care about public opinion I guess our live in society checked where it is still ok.

Saulėgrąžų

Lithuania is one of the top 5 biggest producers of the EU countries.

Žaklīna

Saulėgrąžų Lithuania is one of the top 5 biggest producers of the EU countries.

I didn't know that. I wonder why, maybe Russia is still a big market so it is smart to be nearby?

Or maybe they have a lot of their own in Russia and do not import from the EU?

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Saulėgrąžų Lithuania is one of the top 5 biggest producers of the EU countries.

and do you know where they sell it to, is there a market for for and a lot of people buying it in Lithuania or is it all exported somewhere?

Saulėgrąžų

Julie Brooks-Girskiene and do you know where they sell it to, is there a market for for and a lot of people buying it in Lithuania or is it all exported somewhere?

I do not see it in the shops so guess it is exported somewhere out, but I am not so sure of where.

Ash

This is good news. Add to this the fact that Canada Goose has now made a decision to stop using real fur by 2022, I guess we are making real progress now (albeit, slowly)

Vilte

Also, Israel has just become the first country to ban the sale of fur.

Vilte

I am Ashlynn But arrive people don't care about public opinion I guess our live in society checked where it is still ok.

Huh?

I am Ashlynn

Vilte Huh?

I don't know, either too much wine or I just didn't check the autocorrecting!

I think that I was trying to say that maybe the kind of people who still buy fur either don't care about public opinion or live in societies where it is still perfectly ok and accepted.

John

Saulėgrąžų I do not see it in the shops so guess it is exported somewhere out, but I am not so sure of where.

I'd guess Russia or China. China is apparently the biggest importer of fur in the world.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

John China is apparently the biggest importer of fur in the world.

It is rare to find something that China imports and not exports 😆

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