Fashion Brand Woolrich Europe Goes Fur-Free Ahead of Crucial EU Decision on Fur Farming
A major step forward for the Fur Free Europe campaign and the push to end fur farming in the EU
Vienna, 14 October 2026
- Woolrich Europe will stop producing new garments containing animal fur from 1 January 2027 onwards and is working to extent its fur-free commitment beyond Europe.
- The announcement follows public mobilisation by the Fur Free Alliance (FFA), including more than 200,000 emails and demonstrations in front of Woolrich stores across Europe.
- FOUR PAWS, a coalition member of the FFA, welcomes this commitment as the European Commission considers the future of fur farming and trade in the EU in light of the 1.5 million-signature Fur Free Europe Initiative and a recently published economic report.
On 14 October luxury brand Woolrich Europe has announced a fur-free commitment in collaboration with the Fur Free Alliance (FFA): a coalition of 45 animal protection organisations in more than 30 countries. This announcement comes following more than 200,000 emails sent by supporters to the company and demonstrations outside Woolrich stores across Europe calling on the brand to end its use of fur. The brand will stop producing new garments containing animal fur for the European market by 31 December 2026 and is also working to extent its fur-free practices beyond Europe.
Woolrich Europe joins 1,700 fashion brands and retailers worldwide that have partnered with the FFA through its Fur Free Retailer Programme, reinforcing a growing industry-wide transition away from fur.
In September 2025, during international fashion weeks, the Fur Free Alliance launched a global campaign urging Woolrich to align with many of its industry peers by adopting a fur-free policy. The campaign highlighted the brand's use of fur sourced from animals such as coyotes and raccoon dogs and called on the company to join competitors including Canada Goose, Moncler, Napapijri and Parajumpers that have already moved away from fur.
Woolrich Europe’s announcement comes at a pivotal time as the European Commission is preparing its response to the Fur Free Europe initiative, backed by more than 1.5 million signatures from EU citizens, and amid a recently published economic report that an EU-wide fur farming ban would be cheaper than investing in higher welfare standards for foxes, mink, raccoon dogs and chinchillas.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects across the globe, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org