A Historic Opportunity to End Fur Farming and Fur Trade In the EU

Vienna/Brussels, 23 February 2026 – Just weeks before the EU Commission’s long awaited response to the 1.5 million signature Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), the Fur Free Alliance (FFA) delivered a stark message to Animal Welfare Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi: ”The EU must ban fur farming and the fur trade – and firmly reject the industry’s push for so-called “minimum welfare standards.” To amplify this call, the FFA staged a high-visibility street protest in front of the Berlaymont building. The action was joined by MEPs, as well as former British Fur Trade Association CEO Mike Moser, sending a united front of politicians and experts, all demanding decisive EU action. Adding to the pressure, a new poll across 18 EU countries shows that nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents support an EU-wide ban, highlighting strong public backing for ending fur production and trade.

MEPs rally together with FFA and former industry representative  

Animal welfare activists staged a highly visible action outside the Commission’s Berlaymont Building, including mobile LED screens on bikes and vehicles, banners and placards. Speakers at a ‘soapbox-style’ street rally included MEPs Tilly Metz and Anja Hazekamp as well as Mike Moser, who shifted from heading the UK fur sector to advocating against fur. Coalition members of the FFA included representatives from FOUR PAWS, Bont voor Dieren, Collective Fashion Justice, Deutscher Tierschutzbund, Eurogroup for Animals, GAIA, Humane World for Animals and Respect for Animals.

Clear majorities in last EU fur-farming nations call for a ban

A new Savanta poll commissioned by Eurogroup for Animals strengthens the united call for an EU-wide ban on fur farming. In January, more than 18,000 respondents across 18 EU countries were surveyed, revealing strong public backing: 64% support a ban on fur farming, and 69% support banning imports of fur farmed outside the EU. Opposition remains low in every country (around 10-13%), underscoring that action to end fur farming and remove farmed fur from the EU market is in line with public expectations. Particularly striking are the results from the last remaining furfarming nations, where clear majorities favour a ban: Finland (62%), Greece (58%), and Spain (74%).

Complaint to Ombudsman for mishandling of Fur Free Europe 

Recently, FOUR PAWS, amongst others, filed a complaint to the European Ombudsman. It argues that Animal Welfare Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi did not meet with Fur Free Europe Citizen’s Commitee, while he held meetings and three workshops with fur lobbyists since September 2025. Further, the complaint notes that transparency was obstructed: requests for access to documents relating to these workshops were delayed or denied, raising serious concerns about openness and accountability in the context of an ECI.

Fur farming is a dying industry 

The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific opinion on the welfare of animals on fur farms has confirmed that the current cage-based fur farming system cannot meet the physical or behavioural needs of animals, such as mink, foxes, raccoon dogs and chinchillas. According to EFSA, neither prevention nor meaningful mitigation of welfare problems is possible within existing production models. No alternative systems for keeping these species have ever been commercially implemented and scientifically assessed. 

The fur sector is in long-term decline. In just ten years, the number of fur farms in Europe has fallen by 73%, production has dropped by 86%, and the value of sales has collapsed by 92%. An economic report found that the EU fur sector generates a negative gross value added of €9.2 million — comparable to obsolete sectors, such as video rental.   

Fur farming also poses a serious public health risk by creating ideal conditions for zoonotic diseases to emerge and spread. For example, SARS-CoV-2 has repeatedly circulated on mink farms, where high-density confinement enables rapid transmission, viral mutation and spillover back to humans. Nearly 500 mink farms across Europe and North America have recorded SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, with documented mink-to-human transmission. This led to widespread killings of mink during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Background on fur farming in the EU 
A growing majority of EU Member States have already banned fur farming or imposed conditions that render it effectively impossible. Countries with full bans now include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and, most recently Poland.   

Denmark, Sweden and Hungary have banned the keeping of specific species, while Germany introduced stringent regulations that rendered fur farming economically unviable. This growing patchwork of national restrictions reflects the clear ethical direction but also highlights the urgent need for harmonised EU legislation. 

Here you find the poll.