The Fur Free Alliance (FFA), of which The Fur-Bearers is a member, made the announcement this week, noting that the last mink fur farm, which was operating in Niigata, was routinely the subject of complaints by the Animal Rights Center Japan. This closure represents not just one farm, but the last farm, so long as current legislation remains in effect.
“Since the Invasive Alien Species Act in 2006 it became illegal to build new mink fur farms in Japan,” wrote the FFA in a news release. “The damage to biodiversity caused by escaped American mink from fur farms had become a significant problem in preceding years. In reaction, the 2006 Invasive Alien Species Act restricts the breeding of the non-native species American mink, raccoon and coypu to but a few purposes – as science and education. According to the Act, mink farms built prior to 2006 are allowed to continue their operations under license compliance. The closure of the Otsuka mink farm therefore puts a downright end to Japanese mink fur production. Since the Otsuka farm was the only remaining fur farm in Japan, the country’s fur production has now ended entirely.”
A demand for ethical clothing is noted for one of the reasons for the downturn in national fur production, and the FFA states that import figures for fur in Japan have dropped an incredible 80 per cent since 2006.
This resounding victory in Japan is a sign that we can make a difference through education and compassionate conversation, and that we will #MakeFurHistory.
Photo by Animal Rights Center Japan
monthly donor(for as little as $5/month – the cost of a single latte) pleaseclick hereand help us save lives today.
