Roadmap – to phase out ‘animal testing’ – is launched
We are pleased to announce we have published our âRoadmap to phase out animal testingâ.
Posted 03 Dec 2024
Posted on the 14th June 2021
The UK government is considering evidence for a ban on the import and sale of fur in the UK and wants to hear your views. This is a great opportunity for us to speak out for the animals who suffer in shocking confined conditions both in the UK* and overseas for fur production, as well as wild trapped animals.
*Many people would be surprised to learn that rabbit fur is being produced as a âby-productâ to meat at various sites around the UK. We recently investigated one such site run by T&S Rabbits in Derbyshire and found rabbits living in deplorable conditions: https://www.animalaid.org.uk/stoprabbitfarms/
This gives us an opportunity to press for the closure of a legal loophole, which allows the production of fur as a âby-productâ to meat production in the UK.
The call for evidence is open until 28th June. Weâve put together some information to help you answer key questions.
You donât need to answer every question. For individuals the most important ones are questions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 39. The first 6 questions are just for you to give your details and permissions.
Questions 13 to 38 are mostly seeking views from those in the fur industry, so you can leave these questions blank or write N/A.
Please complete the answers in your own words for them to have the most impact. And thank you for taking the time to speak out against this cruel and out of date industry.
Complete the consultation online here
DEFRAs own guidance notes are available here
Question 9. Is it wrong for animals to be killed for the sake of their fur?
Animal Aid suggest you write âStrongly agreeâ to this question.
Question 10. What are your views on whether any of following methods are acceptable ways to produce fur products?
In this question, the term âassurance schemeâ refers to an industry-run scheme which sets standards for scheme members relating to how animals are kept, with scheme members being subject to industry-run inspections.
The answers are:
Strongly Agree – Agree – Neutral – Disagree – Strongly disagree – Don’t know
Animal Aid suggest you write âStrongly disagreeâ to this question.
Animal Aid will answer that none of the above are acceptable. They are all immensely cruel, unnecessary and unethical.
Additional points you might want to include in your answer:
You can then go into the specifics of why you personally feel it is cruel. Some points to consider:
It is vital to think of individual animals and how they live and die, when populations as a whole are being discussed.
Question 11. What is your attitude towards the import and/or sale and/or export of fur or fur products in GB?
Freeform box.
â Animal Aid and others have been campaigning against the establishment and expansion of numerous rabbit meat and fur farms across the UK. Animal Aid investigators uncovered some appalling conditions at a site in Derbyshire, operated by T&D Rabbits. Rabbits remained confined alone in their hutches for many hours with no access to grass, over repeat visits by our investigators. Astoundingly, the fur and meat from these animals is marketed as âfree-rangeâ, many people would find the conditions in which these poor animals are kept, absolutely appalling. This is a largely unregulated industry which is clearly slipping below the radar
Please take the opportunity to urge for the closure of the legal loophole, which at present allows the domestic production of fur as a âby-productâ to meat. This makes it profitable to continue to farm animals, such as rabbits, for their fur and flesh. This is at odds with the UK becoming the first country in the world to ban fur farming, on moral grounds, nearly twenty years ago. The government harbours ambitions to be a “world leader in animal welfare”, so it is time for them to reflect their words in their deeds.
Question 12. Other than for clothing and apparel, what uses of fur should we be aware of?
Here you can give personal accounts of your experience with fur. What types of real fur items have you seen on market stalls and in shops?
Possible items might include: felt, crafting, toys for cats or dogs, hot water bottle covers, pom poms for knitted hats, bag charms, rugs, blankets, cushions, ornaments, teddy bears and lures for fly fishing.
Question 39. Please provide any other relevant evidence you would like to include to inform decisions on the GB fur trade.
To make sure we can view your response, please upload files in either a Word, Excel or PDF format. Please make sure your file is under 25MB
This is an open question where you can include any information that you have been unable to add for earlier questions. You can also link to any sources which will strengthen your commentary such as research articles:
You may like to comment on:
Thank you for taking the time to complete the call for evidence. Letâs hope that collectively we can help shut down this vile industry.
We are pleased to announce we have published our âRoadmap to phase out animal testingâ.
Posted 03 Dec 2024
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