‘Grim Reapers’ Urge Irish Politicians to Ban Fur Farming
PETA supporters dressed as sinister grim reapers staged a bold demonstration outside the Irish Parliament today to let politicians know that it’s high time they recognised that the fur industry is in its death throes by banning fur farming in Ireland altogether. The activists held black “scythes” and dragged mink coats behind them to remind those in power that this immensely cruel industry has no place in the 21st century.
With the Dáil’s summer recess now at an end, the Solidarity party is set to introduce a bill to ban fur farming. The bill already has the support of most other political parties, so a huge victory for animals could be just around the corner.
On Irish fur farms, up to 200,000 minks are gassed and skinned every year. Prior to their agonising deaths, they’re confined to cramped, filthy cages and denied any opportunity to engage in their natural behaviour – they can’t roam, swim, seek solitude, or care for their young. They’re subjected to immense pain and suffering just to produce frivolous clothing and accessories that hardly anyone wants or wears any more.
In addition to being torture for minks, fur farming wreaks havoc on the planet by contributing to climate change, land devastation, pollution, and water contamination. An independent research and consultancy group conducted a study of mink farms in Europe and determined the impact of fur production with respect to 18 different environmental issues, such as climate change, ozone pollution, and water and land use, before comparing it to that of other common textiles. For 17 of the 18 issues, fur was found to be much more harmful than other materials.
Many countries – including Austria, Britain, and Switzerland – have already outlawed fur farming. And the majority of today’s top designers – including: Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Simone Rocha, and, most recently, Burberry – have policies against using fur in their collections.
What You Can Do
If you’re an Irish resident, please urge your TDs to support a ban on fur farming.
Help Ban Fur Farming in Ireland
Jo-Anne McArthur | We Animals
