SAGA Furs Makes Commitment to Certification

SANDY PARKER REPORT, VOL. 35, ISSUE 45, JANUARY 30, 2012

The following extract is reproduced with permission from Sandy Parker Reports, Weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for more than four decades. For most of that time he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements in the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.

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International Fur News
with Sandy Parker

SAGA Furs Makes Commitment to Certification

Finnish Fur Sales – now known as SAGA Furs OYJ – set new records for sales and earnings in its latest fiscal year. It is the only one of the major world fur auction houses that is publicly owned and required to publish its financial data. The report, covered the year endedAug. 31, 2011.

In addition to the sales figures, the report also dealt with political risks such as efforts by some European governments to ban fur farming. In the Netherlands, for example, fox farming is now illegal and the lower house of parliament has decided to ban mink farming; the upper chamber has not yet voted on it. At close to 5 million pelts a year, the Netherlands is the third largest mink producer after Denmark and China.

The image of fur farming thus has taken on new importance, the report notes, particularly in the eyes of European decision makers who are not familiar with the industry. “It is essential…that the production process of fur pelts is continuously improved and any mistakes and neglect found in fur farms are quickly intervened with. Certification of fur farms is an even more integral part of the Saga Furs brand.” In that connection, the company noted that, as of last October, two-thirds of Finnish fur production was covered by certification. In the season ahead, the company will accept finnraccoons only from certified farms. The requirement will be extended to fox farms next year.

IN THIS ISSUE:

*Weather Wilts Retail Traffic

*January Weakens U.S. Season

*China, Russia Remain Strong

*Pelt Prices Seen Holding Firm

*Finnish Auction Sets New Peaks

For extracts from back issues of Sandy Parker Reports see News Index. Subscribers can access an archive of complete issues at www.sandyparker.com.

For further information contact Fur Commission USA.

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