US Fur Farmers Support EFBA as They Welcome European Council Recommendation

FCUSA sends its support to the 8,000 members of the European Fur Breeders Association (EFBA) as they welcome a Recommendation concerning the welfare of fur-bearers on European farms.

The Recommendation, from the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals, was adopted June 22 by the Council of Europe. EFBA members see the adoption of the Recommendation as "an important step forward in the ongoing process of improving still further the living conditions for fur animals."

Similar to guidelines for the care of fur-bearers in the US and Canada, the Recommendation sets standards for housing systems, health maintenance, daily management and feeding strategies. It also asks fur-farming Member States to undertake further research to improve animal welfare.

EFBA chairman Wim Verhagen said, "Fur farmers already adopt high standards of care, housing, health and welfare and all EFBA member countries support the Council Recommendation. In advance of today's agreement, the fur sector has already begun introducing developments to its farm operations and when implementation is complete, each farm will have invested up to 100,000 Euro on average in welfare improvements. This is however not a stopping point. Fur farmers are keen to embrace the latest scientific knowledge and will carry out any further changes as a result of it."

For further information contact: Mr. Helge Olsen, European Fur Breeders Association, Langagervej 60, Postbox 79, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. Tel: +45 43 26 10 23. Or contact: Teresa Platt, Executive Director, Fur Commission USA, PMB 506, 826 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118-2698 USA, (619) 575-0139, (619) 272-2467/fax, furfarmers@aol.com, www.furcommission.com.

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