Existing Controls Over Fur Farmers in the United States

A Presentation by Teresa Platt, Executive Director, FCUSA, to a meeting of the International Fur Trade Federation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

THIS REPORT IS ORGANIZED from the "bottom up" to reinforce the support for responsibility at the local level and respect for diversity. This "bottom up" approach is recognized in America as key to developing and maintaining democratic institutions that actually function. While industry suffers from the occasional bad operator, we are cautious about imposing costly and intrusive solutions on responsible producers or top-down, command and control structures from people far removed from the issues.

Peer, Industry/Societal Pressure

The strongest and most vital method for ensuring quality farms is at the local level. Local level involvement takes the form of strong educational programs in the schools, agricultural programs such as 4H, animal husbandry outreach programs by local Farm Bureaus, certification programs such as the FCUSA's program which works with local veterinarians to maintain appropriate standards of animal care.

We want farmers who are invested in their local communities and are acting as "good neighbors among other good neighbors." We want our farmers participating in the democratic process at the local level.

Private Property Rights

Your right to use your property ends at your infringement on my right to use and enjoy my property. This is a very active and aggressive legal arena, with lawsuits over property use. Constitutionally protected property rights also provide protection for our ability to use our property and protect minorities, which we are, from loss of those rights. If communities decide to ban or overregulate an individual's right to use his property, they can be hit with a bill for a "taking" of the property, requiring compensation to the owner for his loss. This protection has the ability to slow down and stop narrowly defined or special interest agendas and hold urban encroachment into farmlands at bay.

U.S. government institutions generally avoid micro-management of individuals and property use since it hinders creativity, flexibility (which keeps us competitive) and is, quite simply, not the role of government.

Local Zoning and Nuisance Laws

Local zoning and nuisance laws regulate use of land at City and County Levels, encompass long-term community planning, generally with protections for open space, farmland and local custom and culture. Again, this area is extremely active with constant lawsuits and complaints carving out new ground every day.

Humane Care Laws

Humane care/anti-cruelty statutes exist state by state with specific city and county codes for developed by local need for specific animal-based industries. For example, California has specific laws regarding fishing; San Diego City has laws regarding pets while Wisconsin counties have developed laws specifically for the dairy industry.

Domesticated animals fall under the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and wild animals fall under the Department of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Additionally, cities and counties have animal welfare officers in place.

Citizen Right to Petition Government

The right to redress takes the form of City and County initiatives and State Ballot Propositions. Many of these initiatives are emotionally driven and are often challenged in court for constitutionality. They are, however, an extension of free debate in a free society and create an opportunity to reconnect with the general public.

Federal Standards

The U.S. Animal Welfare Act regulates animal use for medical research but also includes display industry such as zoos, aquariums, circuses and some animal transportation. This Act does not include the livestock industry and many other animal use groups such as pet owners and efforts continue to bring all animal use under federal regulation.

Federal regulation is often duplicative, costly, wasteful and unnecessary. Additionally, it is difficult for working fur farmers to address day to day affairs when decisions become micro-managed by and centralized in DC. We support efforts to maintain a strong local and State approach to issues.

Farmers are subjected to federal environmental standards such as the Clean Water Act which has set a zero discharge policy for water quality.

The Federal Trade Commission's labeling laws directly regulate labels on fur garments.

Additionally, there are many other national laws dealing with labor, environmental quality, etc. which impact fur farmers directly and indirectly.

International Standards/Trade Barriers

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species impacts farmers raising species in decline or at risk.

In Canada and parts of Europe, fur farmers have adopted codes of standards surprisingly similar to the guidelines developed by industry in the United States.

Commerce should not be disrupted across state or international borders due to differences in our methods and approaches to issues. We support diversity, creativity, flexibility and freedom in problem solving while we meet our common goal of animal welfare. Imposition of standards (comparability standards) one nation on another is WTO-illegal. The WTO now contains sanctions against the losing party, sanctions which are eventually paid as duties and tariffs against our products. Additionally, closing markets, without a concomitant reduction in prices, has a tendency to drive down prices for the producer.

See also:
Discussing Fur's International Future in Amsterdam, Feb. 11, 1999.

Teresa Platt, executive director of Fur Commission USA, represents 400 mink-farming families, and serves on the board of the National Animal Interest Alliance and as secretary of Alliance for America, groups working to restore people and common sense to the environmental equation. Fur Commission USA, PMB 506, 826 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118-2698 USA. Tel: (619) 575-0139, (619) 272-2467/fax, furfarmers@aol.com, www.furcommission.com.

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