Italy approves ban on fur production

Amid a growing movement by Italian fashion houses to ditch the material, senators have voted to close down the country’s ten remaining mink farms within six months.

The time has finally come. Over the past few years, almost every top designer from Chanel to Prada has shed animal fur from their collections.

Sugaring the pill, the state of California has outright banned it, Queen Elizabeth II has renounced it, and last year, PETA retired its decades-long campaign against the use of fur in fashion, focusing its activism elsewhere.

Now, in a move that’s sure to contribute to the material’s eagerly anticipated demise, Italian senators have voted to close down the country’s ten remaining mink farms within six months.

Not only this, but they will also be enacting a permanent ban on the breeding of fur-bearing animals including mink, foxes, racoon dogs, and chinchillas throughout Italy.

The vote comes after discussions with animal protection organisation Humane Society International, which presented the practical solution of converting such farms into alternative, cruelty-free, and sustainable businesses.

Endorsed by MP Michela Vittoria Brambilla who’s calling it the best victory in ‘over three decades of fighting suffering in the name of profit and vanity,’ the strategy would be implemented with existing public funds.

To facilitate the transition, the Ministry of Agriculture will be compensating former fur farmers a total of €3 million in 2022.

While the decision still requires final approval in Parliament, it’s expected to go through, making Italy the 16^th European country to ditch the harmful practice once and for all.

‘This is an historic victory for animal protection in Italy, and HSI/Europe is immensely proud that our fur farm conversion strategy has played a central role in dismantling this cruel and dangerous industry in our country,’ says HSI’s Italian director, Martina Pluda.