GENEVA, Dec 15: A red fox desperately claws at the bars of its cramped cage, while an Arctic fox wanders aimlessly with a bloodied tail. Other animals, some with tearful eyes, gaze blankly into the light of an activist’s camera.
The Finnish advocacy organization Oikeutta Eläimille, or Justice for Animals, alongside Humane Society International, has released footage from an “undercover investigation” conducted at three fur farms in western Finland in late October, revealing the stark realities of the fur trade.
This investigation coincides with the European Union’s pending recommendations in March from its animal welfare agency regarding a potential ban on fur farming by March 2026.
FIFUR, a Finnish fur breeders’ association, criticized the “covert filming” of the farms, alleging that the activists violated strict biosecurity protocols and that the operations are closely supervised by national regulations and veterinarians who ensure animal welfare.
While some viewers may feel distressed by the sight of these adorable animals in small cages—often housing more than one occupant—no instances of overt abuse were documented in the footage. The cause of the noticeable blood on one Arctic fox’s tail remains unexplained.
“These images and intrusions create a misleading representation of standard animal welfare practices in farming,” stated FIFUR spokesman Olli-Pekka Nissinen, asserting that they believe the ban on fur farming will ultimately be rejected.
The breeders’ association contended that the fur industry maintains high welfare standards compared to other forms of animal husbandry, with Nissinen emphasizing that farmers have a strong incentive to ensure the well-being of their animals to secure decent profits. “Animal welfare is reflected in the quality of the fur, making it essential for farmers to care for the animals,” he explained.
According to FIFUR, most of its 442 member farms as of last December are family-run businesses, primarily located in the Ostrobothnia region along the Baltic Sea. Finland is the leading global producer of certified fox pelts, the organization noted.
Oikeutta Eläimille spokesman Kristo Muurimaa mentioned that their operation was conducted to observe and document the living conditions of the animals and that the photographs were legally obtained under Finnish law.
Neither organization has indicated plans for legal action at this time.
“Fur has been used by humans since antiquity,” Muurimaa said. “However, keeping animals in tiny, barren cages is a more recent practice, rooted in a modern view that sees animals merely as commodities.”
“This treatment of animals is not acceptable in today’s society. Times have evolved, and we should move away from such cruelty,” he continued. “Fur is largely a status symbol for the wealthy elite in countries like China and Russia, and it is not a necessity in modern life.”
According to the latest estimates from the EU, there are about 1,000 fur farms operating across 27 member states, housing approximately 7.7 million animals, including mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs.
In neighboring Switzerland, which is not part of the EU, a three-month public consultation on a government proposal to ban the import and sale of fur from animals subjected to “mistreatment” recently concluded. This legislation would empower authorities to confiscate such products.
Activists are urging the Swiss government to expand the definition of “mistreatment” and broaden the scope of affected fur farms. The issue, currently not prioritized on Switzerland’s referendum agenda, may be put to a public vote no earlier than late 2026.
Humane Society International stated last month that tens of millions of animals endure suffering and death each year in the global fur trade, noting that a significant majority of fur-bearing animals live in cramped battery cages on fur farms.
Finland is among the last European nations where fur farming is still legal, with various retail brands using fox fur sourced from the country.
China remains the principal export market for furs, followed by South Korea and the North American-Western European regions, according to FIFUR, which represents numerous farms in Finland.
As of 2023, Poland and Greece ranked as the top producers of furs in Europe—almost entirely from mink—with Finland coming in third, based on data from the industry association.
The fur industry has faced considerable challenges from outbreaks of bird flu and coronavirus since 2020, particularly in Denmark, leading to a long-term decline in supply.
FIFUR’s report indicated that the production of mink pelts has dropped by approximately 75% since 2010, with only 12,285 pelts produced last year, while mink pelts totaled 2,440 in 2023. (AP)
