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Poland, the world’s third-largest fur producer, has voted in favor of banning fur farms.
The Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament, has approved the ban. However, the decision must now be voted on in the Senate (the upper house of parliament) and then signed by the president.
If approved, the legislation, which does not include the farming of rabbits, is said to come into effect in one year.
‘The next pandemic’
Animal-rights charity PETA, who has been pressuring the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland to ban fur farming, says the move would ‘spare’ the lives of eight million animals.
It also condemned fur farms for being a public health risk – stating that the next pandemic could come from a fur farm that can carry the same ‘risk of disease’ as live-animal markets.
“It’s very easy for infectious diseases to spread on fur farms through the exchange of urine, excrement, pus, and blood,” PETA said.
“Minks with infections, sores, and festering, open wounds caused by the wire flooring they stand on are a common sight. Fur farmers and handlers are among those who most commonly suffer from the zoonotic bacterial disease tularaemia.”
