The European Food Security Agency (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion that permanently puts the breeding system of fur animals in Europe definitively under accusation. According to Efsa, the serious conditions of suffering and compromise of animal welfare in vision farms, foxes, procuose dogs and chinchillà cannot be mitigated or prevented with current breeding methods, even certified ones.
The unequivocal conclusions of theEfsa
The EFSA evaluation, commissioned by the European Commission in December 2023, analyzed the impact of fur animals on their well -being detailed. The species involved are American visions, red and arctic foxes, procuose dogs and chinchillà.
What did the investigation “discovered”? Vison farms have serious problems linked mainly to the limitation of movement and the inability to carry out natural behaviors such as game, exploration and foraging. The cages are too small, without suitable structures or free water, to allow visions to move or express their behavioral needs.
Even the foxed foxes suffer from similar problems, with “limitation of movement” due to too small cages and without enrichment. The lack of shelters or hiding places increases the “sensory overestimation” and group stress, particularly relevant for red foxes. “Manipulation stress” is also a constant problem, while locomotive disorders such as lame are frequent, especially in arctic foxes.
The conclusions are clear: the current system, which is based on metal network cages of a few centimeters of surface, does not allow animals to move freely or to express fundamental natural behaviors such as exploration and puncture. These conditions cause them serious physical and psychological suffering.
Despite the “responsible” certifications promoted by the fur industry (such as Welfur, Sagafurs, Furmark), Efsa concludes that no structural or management intervention can substantially eliminate or reduce these suffering.
Lav’s request to the European Commission
Following the publication of the EFSA opinion, Lav officially asked the European Commissioner Raffaele Fitto to use his delegation to cohesion to support the European Commission in the adoption of a total ban on the breeding and fur trade.
Simone Pavesi, head of the Lav Animal Free fashion area, underlined how this industry is now “bloody, anachronistic and useless”, and that the requests made by the initiative of European citizens (Ice) “Fur Free Europe” now find a scientific confirmation.
The Ice “Fur Free Europe”, promoted by Lav with the support of Eurogroup for Animals and Fur Free Alliance, has collected 1.5 million brands validated in just nine months, exceeding the national thresholds in 21 member countries.
Italy has already banned fur breasts since 2022 (read also: Vittoria! Italy prohibits mink farms and other fur animals) but now you ask for an extension to the whole European Union, specifically to ban:
The EFSA opinion was also corroborated by the European Veterinary Federation (FVE), which represents 38 national veterinary associations, and by the National Federation of Italian Veterinary Order (FNOVI). Both organizations strongly support the adoption of a prohibition at European level, on the basis of scientific evidence and the protection of animal health and well -being.
Next steps
The European Commission has until March 2026 to respond to the request of the initiative of European citizens (ICE) “Fur Free Europe” and propose a regulatory framework that prohibits the breeding, trade and import of fur in the EU.
This step would be a further and important progress for the protection of animals and for the ethical coherence of the European Union, which already sees several Member States having adopted national bans.
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Sources: Efsa / Lav
