Poland Is Voting To Ban Animal Fur Farming, Sparing 8 Million Animals In The Process

By Mayukh Saha / Truth Theory

Poland has set a new standard that all animal lovers are bound to celebrate. The Lower House of Poland, Sejm, has recently voted to ban animal fur farming in the country. This is a major win for animals like foxes, raccoon dogs, and minks. 

While China and Denmark take the top two spots, Poland ranks third in the world as fur producers. Animals are raised and killed violently solely for their fur in Poland and many other countries. PETA estimates around 8 million lives will be spared annually with this animal fur farming ban. But, sadly, rabbits are not on the list.

Earlier in September, PETA Germany had sent a letter calling for a fur farming ban in Poland. Sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the letter had the support of around 90,000 PETA affiliates.

Ban Animal Fur Farming in Poland

While the Lower House of the Polish Parliament has voted, the Upper House is yet to vote on it. The decision taken by the Sejm must be approved in the Senate and then secure the signature of the President. Once approved, the animal fur farming ban should come into effect within a year.

Polish Fur Farms: A living Nightmare

PETA Germany worked to expose the terrible circumstances prevalent in 5 Polish fur farms. Raccoon dogs and foxes are crammed into cages that are filled with their own feces. The animals in these farms were turning insane due to the intense confinement. They often ran in circles, paced back and forth, and even kept scratching on cage walls. Since these animals had to stand on barren wire cages, their paws would often be inflamed. Swollen gums are also a common occurrence among these animals along with other injuries.

PETA claims there are other investigations too that had exposed similar abuse in Polish fur farms. 

Hotspot For The Next Pandemic?

Animal fur farming has become very common now. Not just the animals, these farms can be hazardous to human lives too. The novel coronavirus is believed to have originated from a live-animal market and similar conditions are found in these fur farms. Fur farmers are known to frequently suffer from zoonotic diseases like tularaemia. They handle animals like minks who have open sores and other wounds.

READ: SEPHORA BANS MINK FUR EYELASHES AFTER ACTIVISTS EXPOSE TERRIBLE CONDITIONS ON MINK FARMS

In the Netherlands, minks had tested positive for the coronavirus. And their handlers contracted it from them. So the Dutch parliament was eager to pass the animal fur farming ban in the country.

Now Poland is on its way to join Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Norway, Slovakia, and the UK in banning animal farming for their fur. 

You can raise your voice against the 200,000 minks that are imprisoned in Italy each year for their fur. Make a difference in banning the 13 animal fur farms in Italy.

Featured image: Otwarte Klatki