French Government Announces Mink Fur Farming Ban

France, the second-largest fur exporter to the UK, is joining a rising number of countries in banning factory mink farming. Announced by French minister Barbara Pompili, France will shut down the last four remaining factory mink fur farms in the next five years.

This comes after an exposé by animal advocacy organization One Voice revealed the terrible conditions and abuse taking place on these farms. Along with the mink fur ban, France is also banning the commercial circus use of wild animals including elephants, lions, and tigers, as well as the breeding of dolphins and killer whales in marine parks.

In a news conference, Pompili said that France's ban signals that “it is time to open a new era in our relationship with these animals,” but added that the French government would be taking its time to implement these new commercial bans of wildlife, saying, “That transition will be spread over several years because it will change the lives of many people." While we do not yet have an estimate when the circus and marine park bans will come into place, the mink fur farm ban is set to start in 2025.

In a statement to Plant Based News, Claire Bass, the executive director for Humane Society International/UK said, "We applaud the French government for taking a stand against the immense suffering endured by mink for fur fashion. This announcement is a great first step for France, but it allows for the unnecessary suffering of mink to continue for another five years."

France joins several other European countries who have moved forward with similar fur bans, including Poland, who just last week moved forward with a bill that is set to ban the factory farming of minks, foxes, and raccoon dogs.