Historic ban on fur farming to finally pass after years of campaigning

The Green Party’s Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Senator Pippa Hackett has warmly welcomed the Government’s move to ban fur farming today (June 22nd), after Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConologue secured Cabinet approval for the drafting of an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill.

Welcoming the legislation, Minister Hackett said;

“This is an important and progressive piece of legislation which is supported by the vast majority of the general public. The Green Party have long called for it, and support has been expressed too by many animal welfare groups, and the representative body for veterinary surgeons in Ireland, Veterinary Ireland.”

There are currently three active farms in the State that breed and rear mink for the purposes of pelting for the fur industry, which will be closed under the new plan. Minister Hackett continued;

“In calling for a ban, Veterinary Ireland has previously said that no welfare standards or inspection regimes can prevent welfare problems being encountered regularly on fur farms. These farms cannot provide for the five freedoms of animal welfare, particularly in relation to the need to express normal behaviours.

“I recognise that this is a very emotive issue for many, but we must recognise that in the past, there have been occasions when mink have been purposely released, which has resulted in catastrophic destruction to some of our wildlife. This was particularly the case for some threatened species of birds, and indeed I have seen at first hand the damage mink have done to wading birds in the Shannon Callows.

“I am delighted to be part of the Government which will see this progressive and historic development come to pass.”

Speaking about the timing of the Bill, Minister Hackett concluded;

“It is proposed to enact the legislation as soon as possible in 2021, with prohibition to begin in 2022.”