DUBLIN, 30 MARCH 2022 – The Fur Free Alliance welcomes the news that legislation banning fur farming in the Republic of Ireland has passed the final stages of the parliamentary process. Having completed its passage through the Dáil (House of Representatives) in early 2022, the Bill completed its final stage in the Seanad (Senate) on the evening of Tuesday 29 March 2022.

Ireland becomes the most recent country to ban fur farming, after similar moves in France, Italy and Estonia in 2021. The three remaining fur farms are expected to close this year.

The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 had been subject to some delay after the government decided to add legislation concerning forestry. However, the need to end the cruelty of fur factory farming received overwhelming support from across the political divide in both Houses of the Oireachtas (Parliament). The Bill now goes to the President to be signed into law.

Successive governments had pledged to ban fur farming in Ireland after a campaign co-led by Fur Free Alliance member Respect for Animals and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals (ISPCA). This particular legislation has been anticipated for some time, forming a key part of the programme for government agreement, and was listed as a priority bill when the 2021 legislative programme was published.

Public opinion was demonstrated by the results of an independently conducted opinion poll by Red-C and commissioned by Respect for Animals. The poll found that 80% of people in the Republic of Ireland want fur farming to be banned and was unveiled at a Make Fur History event in Dublin, co-sponsored by the Fur Free Alliance and the ISPCA.

The cruelty of the fur industry was further exposed by the publication of a report from Veterinary Ireland. The report considered all the scientific evidence and concluded that, on animal welfare grounds, ‘there should be an immediate ban on the farming of mink, and similar wild animals, for the production of fur’. Veterinary Ireland’s report relied on a comprehensive scientific review published by Respect for Animals, The Case Against Fur Factory Farming, which was launched at the European Parliament.

Mark Glover, Fur Free Alliance board member and Director at Respect for Animals, said:

“This is a historic day for animal welfare in the Republic of Ireland. I have been involved in the campaign to end fur farming in Ireland for over 15 years so this ban is long overdue, but it is fantastic news for all compassionate people. I would like to pay tribute to all campaigners who helped make this possible. It is now essential that legislators around the world – including at European level – take urgent action to end the cruelty of fur factory farming once and for all.”