Fur becoming less and less popular in Europe; number of farms fallen by 75%

Fur is increasingly falling out of fashion. The number of fur farms has fallen by 75 percent since 2018 in Europe to just over 1000, the Belgian animal rights organization GAIA reported. The number of animals killed worldwide for their fur fell by almost 40 percent last year.

According to the GAIA, the production of fur has even halved in China, which is the largest manufacturer of fur in the world since 2022. Breeding animals for fur is already banned in the Netherlands. However, it is still allowed in other European countries like Finland, Poland, and Denmark.

However, European producers are also seeing a sharp decline in their activities due to changing legislation and declining demand. "The declining demand for fur and the growing aversion of the population to this industry shows that it is high time to say goodbye to this cruel practice," said GAIA director Ann De Greef.

Selling fur products is not forbidden in the Netherlands. The Dutch association Fur for Animals has been pleading for a ban for years and is also trying to stop secondhand sales of fur products in the country. Dozens of second-hand stores have agreed to the initiative.