Photo by Steven Flannigan / Getty Images
In a monumental victory for animal protection, today the Romanian Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to ban chinchilla and mink fur farming, the only two fur farm industries that exist in the country. This groundbreaking decision is the result of nearly two years of political debates and sustained campaigning by Fur Free Alliance member group in Romania, HSI Europe, and fellow animal groups.
Romania now becomes the 22nd country in Europe and 16th EU Member State to ban fur farming, marking a significant milestone in the global campaign to end the cruel practice of breeding and killing animals for fur fashion.
“This decision is a historic moment for animal protection in Romania. The Fur Free Alliance supported this campaign by holding an event in the Romanian parliament last year, and we are delighted to see the work of our local member group in Romania, HSI Europe, bear fruit. All across Europe the message to legislators is loud and clear: it’s time to make fur history.”
The bill was originally proposed after HSI/Europe conducted a shocking undercover investigation exposing appalling conditions on fur farms in Romania. Chinchillas were filmed confined in small, filthy wire cages, only to be killed for fur fashion at just a few months old in improvised gas chambers or by having their necks broken. Now that the bill has been voted through in the Chamber of Deputies, once promulgated it will make fur farming illegal in Romania effective 1st of January 2027. Although the legislation must be promulgated by President Klaus Iohannis and published in the Official Journal to become effective, this is anticipated to pass without delay.
“Today’s decision to ban fur farming is not only a landmark moment for animal protection in Romania, but also a pivotal step in the broader European effort to end one of the cruelest forms of exploitation of animals. As public concern for animal welfare grows across Europe, demonstrated by the overwhelming success of the Fur Free Europe ECI, it is clear that fur farming has no place in a compassionate and ethical society and the only way to move forward is by adopting an EU-wide ban on production of fur.”
In May 2022, members of the Fur Free Alliance spoke at a round table event in the Romanian parliament urging politicians to support a fur farming ban. According to a nationwide survey commissioned by HSI/Europe, over 67% of Romanians support a fur farming ban, further emphasizing public sentiment against the fur industry. In addition, HSI/Europe’s campaign in Romania gathered more than 74,000 petition signatures in favor of ending fur farming, which HSI/Europe submitted to the Romanian Parliament.
The fur industry in Romania is in decline, with the number of fur farms having dropped dramatically from more than 150 in 2013 to around a dozen in 2022 including two large mink farms producing approximately 100,000 mink pelts and 15,000 chinchilla pelts annually. The ban in Romania also tackles the environmental and human health hazards linked to fur farming, including the spread of zoonotic diseases, positioning Romania within the broader European movement that emphasizes animal welfare and sustainable practices.
You can take action today to end fur farming in Canada at our new campaign site, FurFarming.ca. Click here to load it now and find out how you can make an impact for animals.
