BRUSSELS, 18 FEBRUARY 2025 – A newly released undercover investigation reveals appalling cruelty on European fur farms, where animals endure terrible suffering before being killed in horrific ways. Animal rights organisation GAIA, a Fur Free Alliance member, released the disturbing findings today to expose the inherent welfare problems of the fur trade and urge Belgium to ban fur sales.

The latest footage, captured on fur farms in Poland last month, exposes the brutal everyday reality of fur farming, where hundreds of mink and raccoon dogs are crammed into tiny wire mesh cages, often suffering from severe injuries, obesity, and untreated open wounds. In this disturbing footage raccoon dogs are violently pulled from their cages and anally electrocuted—in full view of the other animals. View photos here. 

Fur farms deprive animals of the opportunity to express natural behaviors like exploring, hunting, or running. Confined to tiny cages, they develop severe psychological distress, often resorting to self-mutilation, cannibalism, or repetitive movements. They spend their entire short lives in these cruel conditions—only to be violently killed at just eight or nine months old.

73% of Belgians support a ban on fur trade

While fur farming is banned across Belgium, the sale of fur remains legal. A new opinion poll commissioned by GAIA reveals that 76% of Belgians have a negative perception of brands that still sell fur, and 73% want the country to ban fur sales altogether.

Ann de Greef, CEO of animal rights organisation GAIA, says:

“Belgium must no longer be complicit in this industry. We have banned its production – now it’s time to ban its sale as well.”

While fur production is prohibited in Belgium on animal welfare grounds, fur clothing and accessories are still sold in the country by luxury brands and specialty stores. To end fur cruelty for good, GAIA has launched a campaign calling on regional governments—who have the authority to act—to prohibit fur sales. The campaign also urges citizens to take a stand by boycotting brands that continue to profit from fur.

Despite growing opposition to fur farming across Europe, Poland remains one of the last countries where the industry is still legal. However, the Polish parliament is now considering a proposal to ban it, a decision that would end the suffering and killing of millions of animals each year.