Estonia to Become the First Baltic Country to Ban Fur Farming
We’re ecstatic that Estonia is set to become the first Baltic country to ban fur farming! The Estonian parliament has voted in favour of the ban, which will come into force on 1 January 2026.
PETA Germany has been supporting the efforts of the local animal rights organisations, such as Nähtamatud Loomad and Loomus, that have been raising awareness of the cruel fur industry, organising protests, launching petitions, and lobbying for the ban for many years. Nähtamatud Loomad is currently one of the three grantees that participate in PETA Germany’s Year of Change funding programme for animal rights work in Eastern Europe. One of the most recent ways in which PETA Germany supported these efforts was with a letter from Pamela Anderson to the Estonian government calling for the ban.
The ban reflects the will of Estonian citizens. According to a recent survey, the vast majority – 75% – is against breeding animals for fur.
Fur Is Dead
Just a few years ago, minks, foxes, chinchillas, and rabbits were locked inside cramped and filthy cages on fur farms in Estonia. The miserable conditions on the farms often led to pathological behaviour such as constant running in circles, self-mutilation, and cannibalism. Workers killed the animals with anal electric shocks or by gassing them.
Because of low demand, the largest Estonian mink farm shut down in 2019. Workers used to kill up to 130,000 animals there every year. It is unclear how many fur farms remain open in the country, but it’s estimated that there are 10 farms, on which a total of 500 chinchillas are imprisoned before being killed. The fur farming ban will make it illegal to raise and kill animals for their fur in Estonia in the future.
Which Country Will Be Next?
Fur is dead, and the growing list of places where raising animals for their pelts is banned is proof. Estonia joins Belgium, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, and the many other countries that have said no to fur farming.
Let’s put the last nail in the coffin of the cruel industry. Urge these countries to ban fur farming immediately:
