Catalonia Initiates Path to Ban Fur Farms

• The Ecological Transition Commission of the Parliament of Catalonia has approved a resolution urging the government to ban the breeding of animals exclusively for fur, including mink, chinchillas, raccoon dogs, and foxes.
• The decision follows public pressure, with approximately 50,000 citizens signing the petition "End Furs" (Acaba con las pieles).
• Organizations ARDE and INTERCIDS are drafting formal legislation to be presented to the Catalan Parliament for final, binding approval.

Justification for the Ban

• Animal Welfare: Addressing the severe suffering and self-mutilation observed in intensive fur farming.
• Public Health: Mitigating the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, pathogen amplification, and viral variants.
• Environmental Protection: Preventing the potential relocation of fur farms from other regions, which could negatively impact local ecosystems.

Context and Future Steps

• While there are currently no active fur farms in Catalonia, the proposed legislation serves as a preventative legal barrier against the industry's re-establishment.
• 18 European Union member states have already implemented measures to end fur farming.
• In Spain, 22 fur farms remain active; a recent exposé in Abegondo, A Coruña, documented animal self-mutilation, severe infections, and poor sanitary conditions, which remains under investigation.