Fur Farms

Fur farming is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of animals for their fur. Fur used from wild caught animals is not farmed, and is instead known as 'free range fur' because the animals have lived their lives free and natural in the wild.
Most of the world’s farmed fur is produced by European farmers. There are 6,000 fur farms in the EU. The EU accounts for 67% of global mink production and 70% of fox production.
Denmark is the leading mink-producing country, accounting for nearly 40% of world production. Other major producers included the Netherlands, Russia, Finland, China, Sweden and Canada.
Finland is the largest United States supplier of fox pelts. The United States is a major exporter of furskins. Major export markets include Canada, the EU, and Asia. Exports to Asia as a share of total exports grew from 22% in 1998 to 47% in 2002. China are the largest importers of fur pelts in the world, therefore making them the largest re-exporter of finished fur products.
Most of the world’s farmed fur is produced by European farmers. There are 6,000 fur farms in the EU. The EU accounts for 67% of global mink production and 70% of fox production.
Denmark is the leading mink-producing country, accounting for nearly 40% of world production. Other major producers included the Netherlands, Russia, Finland, China, Sweden and Canada.
Finland is the largest United States supplier of fox pelts. The United States is a major exporter of furskins. Major export markets include Canada, the EU, and Asia. Exports to Asia as a share of total exports grew from 22% in 1998 to 47% in 2002. China are the largest importers of fur pelts in the world, therefore making them the largest re-exporter of finished fur products.
The fur animals life is one long suffering - a cruel storage only to maintain a billion industry that is not justified anymore.
Profit blood money no 1 FARMED FUR - caged animal represents about 80-85% of the world's trade in fur
Fur farming began in North America in the 19th century, arriving in Europe in the early years of the 20th century. Today, after over 100 years of selective breeding, combined with good nutrition, housing and veterinary care, farmed fur-bearing animals are domesticated and amongst the world's best cared-for farm animals.
The most common farmed fur-bearing animal is mink (Mustela vison), followed by fox (Vulpes vulpes and Alopex lagopus).
Other species farmed on a smaller scale include nutria (Myocastor coypus), chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera), fitch (Mustela putorius and Mustela eversmanni), sable (Martes zibellina) and finn raccoon (Nyctereutes procyonoides).
Most mink farming takes place in Europe (approximately 58%) and North America (approximately 10%). The remainder occurs in countries as far apart as Argentina, China, Ukraine and Russia.
Farmed furs are the mainstay of the fur trade, accounting for some 85 per cent of the industry's turnover. Production figures for mink and fox farming vary annually. Most recent figures (2008) show that approximately 56 million pelts were produced in that year.
An employment lifeline
Fur farming provides a livelihood for many thousands of individuals in Europe and North America. In Europe, there are some 6,000 fur farms, while the fur sector as a whole provides some full and part-time jobs in the European Union. In North America there are some mink, fox and chinchilla farms. Most farms are small family-run businesses. The fur sector as a whole provides some full and part-time jobs in North America. (lie No 1 - people no longer need fur to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
Revenue from fur farming allows many farmers, particularly in Europe, to supplement income from other agricultural activities. Fur farming also allows farming to remain economically viable where climatic conditions limit the options open to farmers in terms of what they can produce and market profitably. (lie No.2 - people no longer need fur to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
Animal by-products
Fur farming provides an efficient use of animal by-products from human food production purchased from fish and poultry processors and other farming sectors. The consumption by fur animals of these by-products, which are not intended for human use, helps to keep down the actual cost of human food production. (lie No.3 - the fur industry contributes instead to increased by-products.
Farming methods
The present housing systems have evolved through independent scientific research (notably behavioural studies), and practical experience over many generations of animals on farms. Mink are generally housed in sheds four metres wide.
These sheds are open-sided with roofing panels. They provide normal temperature and light conditions, while protecting against direct sunlight, wind and rain. Wire cages are placed in rows in the sheds. Foxes are housed in similar sheds. In both cases, the cages are raised off the ground to ensure good hygiene. These cages give the farm animals sufficient space for normal movement and investigative behaviour (lie No. 4 - the animals are forced to live in to small cages with mesh bottom which harms the paws. The animals can not express their natural behavior and exercise. Foxes are also solitary animals which are forced to live in packs. Animals are taking out their frustrations on each other and fight and eating on each other. There is still no acceptable scientific evidence to current standards - it is animal cruelty to think or believe anything else. In addition, the rules are also different in the countries IFTF represents)
In mink farming, year-round nest boxes bedded with straw or wood shavings are provided for breeding purposes and to ensure that the animals sleep and rest comfortably. Research has shown that the provision of a nesting box, which is now standard in mink production, is of great importance to the welfare of farmed mink. (lie No. 5 - the animals are forced to live in to small cages with mesh bottom which harms the paws. The animals can not express their natural behavior and exercise. Animals are taking out their frustrations on each other and fight and eating on each other. There is still no acceptable scientific evidence to current standards - it is animal cruelty to think or believe anything else. In addition, the rules are also different in the countries IFTF represents)
Both mink kits and fox cubs remain in the same cage as their mothers until weaned at the age of 7-8 weeks. After that the animals are housed in little groups of 2-3 through their growth period, and only breeding animals, selected among the mature animals late in the autumn, are housed separately. Non-breeding mature animals are killed quickly and humanely. Methods used are closely controlled under national and European law and North American provincial/state or national requirements. They are administered on the farm thereby minimising the need for stressful transport. (lie No. 6 - how fur animals are killed in the EU, Europe and the world vary between countries and animals. The most common form of killing is gassing, electrocution, neck breaking or blows to the head. None of these methods are humane, painless or quick)
Generally, both mink and fox are fed on a wet feed made from fish, dairy, poultry and other agricultural by-products. This is high in nutrients and may have added supplements to ensure that ideal nutrition levels are provided to maintain good health and well being. Clean water is available at all times. (lie No. 7 - this can not IFTF guarantee as standard and care varies across the world. IFTF can not guarantee that the cages, food or water is given as the minimum standard outlined here, it is impossible and a big lie)
IFTF - INFO LIST ON:
KARAKUL LAMB, OVIS ARIES PLATYURA ASIATIC RACCOONS FELIS CATUS AND CANIS FAMILIARIS
The animals are forced to live in to small cages with mesh bottom which harms the paws. The animals can not express their natural behavior and exercise. The animal's fur is then "harvested" (!) in a very cruel and painful way to be adorned by unaware or indifferent people.
Fur farming began in North America in the 19th century, arriving in Europe in the early years of the 20th century. Today, after over 100 years of selective breeding, combined with good nutrition, housing and veterinary care, farmed fur-bearing animals are domesticated and amongst the world's best cared-for farm animals.
The most common farmed fur-bearing animal is mink (Mustela vison), followed by fox (Vulpes vulpes and Alopex lagopus).
Other species farmed on a smaller scale include nutria (Myocastor coypus), chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera), fitch (Mustela putorius and Mustela eversmanni), sable (Martes zibellina) and finn raccoon (Nyctereutes procyonoides).
Most mink farming takes place in Europe (approximately 58%) and North America (approximately 10%). The remainder occurs in countries as far apart as Argentina, China, Ukraine and Russia.
Farmed furs are the mainstay of the fur trade, accounting for some 85 per cent of the industry's turnover. Production figures for mink and fox farming vary annually. Most recent figures (2008) show that approximately 56 million pelts were produced in that year.
An employment lifeline
Fur farming provides a livelihood for many thousands of individuals in Europe and North America. In Europe, there are some 6,000 fur farms, while the fur sector as a whole provides some full and part-time jobs in the European Union. In North America there are some mink, fox and chinchilla farms. Most farms are small family-run businesses. The fur sector as a whole provides some full and part-time jobs in North America. (lie No 1 - people no longer need fur to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
Revenue from fur farming allows many farmers, particularly in Europe, to supplement income from other agricultural activities. Fur farming also allows farming to remain economically viable where climatic conditions limit the options open to farmers in terms of what they can produce and market profitably. (lie No.2 - people no longer need fur to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
Animal by-products
Fur farming provides an efficient use of animal by-products from human food production purchased from fish and poultry processors and other farming sectors. The consumption by fur animals of these by-products, which are not intended for human use, helps to keep down the actual cost of human food production. (lie No.3 - the fur industry contributes instead to increased by-products.
Farming methods
The present housing systems have evolved through independent scientific research (notably behavioural studies), and practical experience over many generations of animals on farms. Mink are generally housed in sheds four metres wide.
These sheds are open-sided with roofing panels. They provide normal temperature and light conditions, while protecting against direct sunlight, wind and rain. Wire cages are placed in rows in the sheds. Foxes are housed in similar sheds. In both cases, the cages are raised off the ground to ensure good hygiene. These cages give the farm animals sufficient space for normal movement and investigative behaviour (lie No. 4 - the animals are forced to live in to small cages with mesh bottom which harms the paws. The animals can not express their natural behavior and exercise. Foxes are also solitary animals which are forced to live in packs. Animals are taking out their frustrations on each other and fight and eating on each other. There is still no acceptable scientific evidence to current standards - it is animal cruelty to think or believe anything else. In addition, the rules are also different in the countries IFTF represents)
In mink farming, year-round nest boxes bedded with straw or wood shavings are provided for breeding purposes and to ensure that the animals sleep and rest comfortably. Research has shown that the provision of a nesting box, which is now standard in mink production, is of great importance to the welfare of farmed mink. (lie No. 5 - the animals are forced to live in to small cages with mesh bottom which harms the paws. The animals can not express their natural behavior and exercise. Animals are taking out their frustrations on each other and fight and eating on each other. There is still no acceptable scientific evidence to current standards - it is animal cruelty to think or believe anything else. In addition, the rules are also different in the countries IFTF represents)
Both mink kits and fox cubs remain in the same cage as their mothers until weaned at the age of 7-8 weeks. After that the animals are housed in little groups of 2-3 through their growth period, and only breeding animals, selected among the mature animals late in the autumn, are housed separately. Non-breeding mature animals are killed quickly and humanely. Methods used are closely controlled under national and European law and North American provincial/state or national requirements. They are administered on the farm thereby minimising the need for stressful transport. (lie No. 6 - how fur animals are killed in the EU, Europe and the world vary between countries and animals. The most common form of killing is gassing, electrocution, neck breaking or blows to the head. None of these methods are humane, painless or quick)
Generally, both mink and fox are fed on a wet feed made from fish, dairy, poultry and other agricultural by-products. This is high in nutrients and may have added supplements to ensure that ideal nutrition levels are provided to maintain good health and well being. Clean water is available at all times. (lie No. 7 - this can not IFTF guarantee as standard and care varies across the world. IFTF can not guarantee that the cages, food or water is given as the minimum standard outlined here, it is impossible and a big lie)
IFTF - INFO LIST ON:
KARAKUL LAMB, OVIS ARIES PLATYURA ASIATIC RACCOONS FELIS CATUS AND CANIS FAMILIARIS
The animals are forced to live in to small cages with mesh bottom which harms the paws. The animals can not express their natural behavior and exercise. The animal's fur is then "harvested" (!) in a very cruel and painful way to be adorned by unaware or indifferent people.
Yes, yes, yes .....we have all understood by now that the animals through breeding, traps and killing/death, are forced to suffer in order that some people persist in making money on animal cruelty.
Lies for conviction - and money - More embarrassing movies on EFBA
Finnish fur farms were exposed once again in a massive investigation. Footage is shocking. At the same time, Prime Minister of Finland Mari Kiviniemi is getting funding for election campaigns from the fur industry, and the person responsible for her election campaigns is a spokesperson for the Finnish Fur Sales, Päivi Mononen-Mikkilä. PM's husband is designing PR-campaigns for the industry. The minister of agriculture Sirkka-Liisa Anttila is very "satisfied with her fur coat". How can these people make decisions about the future of fur animals in Finland?
Exactly - and what's it like in all other countries? Is not that bribery and to sit on two chairs? Away with all insensitive profit-hungry politicians, from both EU and member states. We do not want you as a politician if you are animal cruelty supporters.
Exactly - and what's it like in all other countries? Is not that bribery and to sit on two chairs? Away with all insensitive profit-hungry politicians, from both EU and member states. We do not want you as a politician if you are animal cruelty supporters.

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EFBA The European Fur Breeders' Association (EFBA), is the European umbrella organisation of 21 national fur breeders’ associations.
EFBA represents European fur farmers’ interests at both European and international institutions. To fulfill its mission, EFBA participates proactively in the development of a legislative framework and business conditions where all European fur farmers can compete effectively for sustainable growth as well as proudly meeting consumers’ demand for information about product origin.
EFBA contributes to the development of best practices to respond to these specific areas by encouraging scientific research:
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EFBA The European Fur Breeders' Association (EFBA), is the European umbrella organisation of 21 national fur breeders’ associations.
EFBA represents European fur farmers’ interests at both European and international institutions. To fulfill its mission, EFBA participates proactively in the development of a legislative framework and business conditions where all European fur farmers can compete effectively for sustainable growth as well as proudly meeting consumers’ demand for information about product origin.
EFBA contributes to the development of best practices to respond to these specific areas by encouraging scientific research:
- Promote awareness and knowledge of the fur-farming sector in Europe.
- Maintain the European fur-farming sector as a worldwide leader in best practices
- (e.g. animal welfare) by participating proactively in scientific research.
- Strive to standardise European practices and legislation based on both high welfare standards and socio-economic sustainability.
- Promote a proud and realistic image of the fur-farming sector in public opinion and among European representatives.
Europe's finest furfarm investigated
Denmark is not far behind China in mink production, and Saga, an international organization that pushes designers to use fur, is based there. Danish animal advocacy group Anima published the findings from 26 Danish fur farms that found injured, sick, and dead animals on all of them. Minks were missing legs, tails, and ears and had oozing wounds covering their faces. Dead minks were cannibalized or left infested with maggots and rotting in cages with live minks. One of the farms, owned by the chairperson of the European Fur Breeders Association, is often shown to designers as an example of how well animals on fur farms are treated. Even at a farm where conditions are said to be the "best in the world," animals were suffering horribly. peta
Graphic sequences - published November 21, 2012 - Animal Protection Norway and Network for Animal Freedom reveals the new horror pictures from Norwegian fur farms. Fur industry has received numerous attempts to "improve animal welfare." Nevertheless, we can for the fourth time since 2008 reveal extensive animal cruelty on Norwegian fur farms.
A Government Committee is now considering (2012-2013) the industry should be prohibited in Norway. Fur farming can never be consistent with good animal welfare. We therefore expect that the government will start arranging fur industry.
In summer and autumn, the two animal protection organization made unannounced inspections of 24 fur farms from Troms in the north to Agder in the south. Many thousands of pictures and several hours of video documentation from fur farms show that mink and fox suffering on Norwegian fur farms every day.
A Government Committee is now considering (2012-2013) the industry should be prohibited in Norway. Fur farming can never be consistent with good animal welfare. We therefore expect that the government will start arranging fur industry.
In summer and autumn, the two animal protection organization made unannounced inspections of 24 fur farms from Troms in the north to Agder in the south. Many thousands of pictures and several hours of video documentation from fur farms show that mink and fox suffering on Norwegian fur farms every day.
Graphic - White Fox Anally Electrocuted - Undercover Video - Illinois Fur Farm
Profit blood money no 2 WILD FUR - Wild fur represents about 15-20% of the world's trade in fur.
Many abundant wild fur species are used in the trade, but those in most common use are (in alphabetical order): North American beaver (Castor canadensis); coyote (Canis latrans); ermine (Mustela erminea); grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Pseudalopex griseus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes); kolinski (Mustela sibirica); marten (Martes americana); mink (Mustela vison); muskrat (Ondatra zibethica); nutria (Myocastor coypus) (mainly from South and North America); New Zealand opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula); raccoon (Procyon lotor); Russian sable (Martes zibellina); Russian and Chinese squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris); and Chinese weasel (Mustela nivalis).
Skins from goats and a variety of sheep also enter the fur trade, including the Karakul lamb (Ovis aries playtura), which is raised in Afghanistan, central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union, and Namibia.
Most of the world's wild fur comes from Canada, Russia and the USA.- About Canada’s Fur Trade
Wildlife management programmes (they have appointed themselves to be species controllers?)
The majority of wild species used by the fur trade are not taken specifically for their fur but as part of wildlife management programmes, regulated by governments under the advice and supervision of wildlife biologists. (lie No. 1 - wildlife management programmes?)
Fur-bearers will reproduce indefinitely if their habitat is viable, allowing a harvest of the surplus year after year without threatening the survival of the species. (lie No. 2 - it depends on food resources)
An overpopulation of any species creates an ecological imbalance with widespread effects. Wildlife populations typically produce more offspring than the habitat can support on an annual basis. Without careful management, the following problems can occur:(lie No. 3 - reintroduce extinct predators in the ecosystem. - dont kill them)
Impact on animals: an increase in numbers puts a strain on the available food resource and can lead to stress and starvation. (lie No. 4 - what stupid conviction)
Flooding: muskrats undermine dikes, as is the case in Belgium and Holland where trappers are paid by government to control numbers. (lie No. 5 - It's called protective hunting)
Land management: in the USA, studies by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have estimated that beaver dams cause in excess of $6 million in damages annually by flooding land, blocking drainage channels and by washing away roads, railways and bridges when dams fail. The USA as a whole costs beaver damage at $1.5 billion annually. (lie No. 6 - the state has built up the natural environment)
Disease and pest control: management prevents the build-up of diseases that can be transmitted to domestic animals and humans. Lyme disease, Giardia, round worms, mange, distemper and rabies are some examples of diseases carried by fur-bearers. (lie No. 7 - reintroduce extinct predators in the ecosystem - dont kill them)
Provided they are carefully managed, fur-bearers can also bring benefits to other wildlife populations. For example, North American beaver dams can create an ideal habitat for many other species, rare and common. (lie No. 8 - well, dont kill the beaver then)
Supporting rural lifestyles
Wild fur-bearing animals are a natural resource that has long provided food and clothing for man. Today, they are particularly important to those living in isolated and rural areas, enabling these communities to maintain a traditional lifestyle while earning cash income. For example, in Canada, some 85,000 men, women and their families have their income supplemented through the wild fur trade. (lie No. 9 - people no longer need fur to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
These people are everyday conservationists, acting as the eyes and ears of the wildlife habitat. They are often the first to identify and communicate any risk they see to the environment around them, such as disease, pollution or poorly planned development projects. (lie No. 10 - the only risk that exists, is the human)
Some wild fur animals such as beaver and muskrat - also provide food for aboriginal and remote communities. Animals not used for food are returned to nature to feed other wildlife, so that nothing is wasted. (lie No 11 - do not mix up the cards now)
Support for the wild fur trade
"The key to abundant wildlife in coastal Louisiana is habitat. If we protect and enhance these marshlands through management, including fur animal harvest, we can ensure these renewable resources for untold generations". Greg Linscombe, biologist at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (lie No 12 - the nature manage this on its own - as it did before humans)
"Habitat conservation is the key to maintaining the viability of all wildlife populations and the ecosystems on which they depend. Unlike habitat destruction, regulated trapping is a sustainable use of wildlife resources, and does not, in any way, threaten the continued existence of any wildlife population". US/Canadian Government Northeast Furbearer Resources Technical Committee (lie No 13 - has this person seen or heard an animal suffering in a trap?)
"Aboriginal people are a part of nature in a way that very few peoplehave ever known. We have used the animals and fish, plants and water of the earth for generations. We are nurtured by this environment. Through our livelihood, we pass on our traditional skills and values to our children. (lie No 14 - do not mix up the cards now)
But there are human beings who have never seen this country, who wish to destroy our lives. These people have become so far removed from a natural environment that they desperately believe they should save our homeland from whatever threatens it. They do not see that they are the biggest threat. (true No 1 - the biggest threat is the IFTF) Protecting and maintaining healthy populations of fur-bearing animals is more than a matter of social conscience for our people, it is a matter of our survival." The Council for Yukon Indians.
Many abundant wild fur species are used in the trade, but those in most common use are (in alphabetical order): North American beaver (Castor canadensis); coyote (Canis latrans); ermine (Mustela erminea); grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Pseudalopex griseus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes); kolinski (Mustela sibirica); marten (Martes americana); mink (Mustela vison); muskrat (Ondatra zibethica); nutria (Myocastor coypus) (mainly from South and North America); New Zealand opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula); raccoon (Procyon lotor); Russian sable (Martes zibellina); Russian and Chinese squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris); and Chinese weasel (Mustela nivalis).
Skins from goats and a variety of sheep also enter the fur trade, including the Karakul lamb (Ovis aries playtura), which is raised in Afghanistan, central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union, and Namibia.
Most of the world's wild fur comes from Canada, Russia and the USA.- About Canada’s Fur Trade
Wildlife management programmes (they have appointed themselves to be species controllers?)
The majority of wild species used by the fur trade are not taken specifically for their fur but as part of wildlife management programmes, regulated by governments under the advice and supervision of wildlife biologists. (lie No. 1 - wildlife management programmes?)
Fur-bearers will reproduce indefinitely if their habitat is viable, allowing a harvest of the surplus year after year without threatening the survival of the species. (lie No. 2 - it depends on food resources)
An overpopulation of any species creates an ecological imbalance with widespread effects. Wildlife populations typically produce more offspring than the habitat can support on an annual basis. Without careful management, the following problems can occur:(lie No. 3 - reintroduce extinct predators in the ecosystem. - dont kill them)
Impact on animals: an increase in numbers puts a strain on the available food resource and can lead to stress and starvation. (lie No. 4 - what stupid conviction)
Flooding: muskrats undermine dikes, as is the case in Belgium and Holland where trappers are paid by government to control numbers. (lie No. 5 - It's called protective hunting)
Land management: in the USA, studies by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have estimated that beaver dams cause in excess of $6 million in damages annually by flooding land, blocking drainage channels and by washing away roads, railways and bridges when dams fail. The USA as a whole costs beaver damage at $1.5 billion annually. (lie No. 6 - the state has built up the natural environment)
Disease and pest control: management prevents the build-up of diseases that can be transmitted to domestic animals and humans. Lyme disease, Giardia, round worms, mange, distemper and rabies are some examples of diseases carried by fur-bearers. (lie No. 7 - reintroduce extinct predators in the ecosystem - dont kill them)
Provided they are carefully managed, fur-bearers can also bring benefits to other wildlife populations. For example, North American beaver dams can create an ideal habitat for many other species, rare and common. (lie No. 8 - well, dont kill the beaver then)
Supporting rural lifestyles
Wild fur-bearing animals are a natural resource that has long provided food and clothing for man. Today, they are particularly important to those living in isolated and rural areas, enabling these communities to maintain a traditional lifestyle while earning cash income. For example, in Canada, some 85,000 men, women and their families have their income supplemented through the wild fur trade. (lie No. 9 - people no longer need fur to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
These people are everyday conservationists, acting as the eyes and ears of the wildlife habitat. They are often the first to identify and communicate any risk they see to the environment around them, such as disease, pollution or poorly planned development projects. (lie No. 10 - the only risk that exists, is the human)
Some wild fur animals such as beaver and muskrat - also provide food for aboriginal and remote communities. Animals not used for food are returned to nature to feed other wildlife, so that nothing is wasted. (lie No 11 - do not mix up the cards now)
Support for the wild fur trade
"The key to abundant wildlife in coastal Louisiana is habitat. If we protect and enhance these marshlands through management, including fur animal harvest, we can ensure these renewable resources for untold generations". Greg Linscombe, biologist at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (lie No 12 - the nature manage this on its own - as it did before humans)
"Habitat conservation is the key to maintaining the viability of all wildlife populations and the ecosystems on which they depend. Unlike habitat destruction, regulated trapping is a sustainable use of wildlife resources, and does not, in any way, threaten the continued existence of any wildlife population". US/Canadian Government Northeast Furbearer Resources Technical Committee (lie No 13 - has this person seen or heard an animal suffering in a trap?)
"Aboriginal people are a part of nature in a way that very few peoplehave ever known. We have used the animals and fish, plants and water of the earth for generations. We are nurtured by this environment. Through our livelihood, we pass on our traditional skills and values to our children. (lie No 14 - do not mix up the cards now)
But there are human beings who have never seen this country, who wish to destroy our lives. These people have become so far removed from a natural environment that they desperately believe they should save our homeland from whatever threatens it. They do not see that they are the biggest threat. (true No 1 - the biggest threat is the IFTF) Protecting and maintaining healthy populations of fur-bearing animals is more than a matter of social conscience for our people, it is a matter of our survival." The Council for Yukon Indians.
Sealing Around the World
Sealing is important to coastal communities throughout the world. Seals are hunted or culled in Australia, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Greenland, Iceland, Namibia, Norway, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.
Conservation
The World Conservation Union (IUCN), the largest and most respected conservation organization in the world, supports the sustainable use of seals and other wildlife, as long as this is from abundant populations. (lie 15 - there is no abundant populations)
North Atlantic Harp seal populations have increased by 300% since the 1970s to approximately 5.5 million. (lie 16 - seal population is still relatively low in some areas (comparative before the great seal death)
Seal hunting is undertaken as a managed hunt or cull in many parts of the world. As such, regulations as to how seals can be hunted, who can hunt them, and how many are taken are applied. Each adult seal eats from 1 to 1.4 metric tonnes of fish, annually. Maintaining a healthy balance of the marine ecosystem is a challenge with increasing seal populations and declining fish populations. (lie No 17 - the nature manage this on its own - as it did before humans)
Without such sustainable population control, animal herds are regulated by starvation and disease, which creates considerably more suffering than a well-controlled harvest. (lie No. 18 - what stupid conviction)
Animal Welfare
Wherever animals are being hunted or killed, be it in an abattoir, on a farm or in the wild, the quickest and least painful mode of killing must always be used. (lie No. 19 - hypocrite)
Sealers are trained to work rapidly using methods that are regulated by government authorities. The North Atlantic harp seal hunt, in Canada and Greenland, is the largest in the world, where over 85% of seals killed in Canada are done so by firearm. (lie No. 20 - this is animal cruelty without precedent only for profit, they're brutal animal tormentors)
Both the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the Independent Veterinary Working Group have recognized that the rifle and the hakapik (club) are both appropriate tools in the humane hunt of seals. In Canada, hunting regulations are enforced by Department of Fisheries and Oceans staff and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (lie No.21 - give me the names of these, please)
"The large majority of seals that were studied in the Canadian hunt, 98%, were killed in a humane manner, which compares very favourably with results of surveys done in abattoirs in North America". (2007) (lie No. 22 - has anyone been in abattoirs in North America? "(2007)
Pierre-Yves Daoust, a member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and frequent observer at the Canadian harp seal hunt since 1999. (lie No 23 - is this the same, blind and deaf, veterinarian who observed all the movements of the seal hunt above?)
People and Seals
Inuit: Despite exemptions for Inuit-hunted seal pelts, Inuit and Greenlandic communities were hardest hit by the 1983 import ban on whitecoats and bluebacks imposed by the European Economic Community and the resulting global collapse in seal prices. Losing one of their only economic options, these communities suffered enormous socio-economic disintegration.(true No 2 - the fur trade should not be a future profession, they have to retrain themselves.
"The sealskin vest I am wearing is the result of Inuit carrying out their economy and livelihood. By doing this and doing it sustainably, we are setting a positive example to the world".
Sheila Watt-Cloutier, President, Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Canada, August 2002. (lie No. 24 - Sheila, do you also represent the fur fashion, cat walk and the IFTF?)
Coastal Fishermen
Sealing by coastal fishermen has taken place for millennia, with commercial sealing by Europeans starting over 300 years ago.(true No.3 - and now it's the 2000s)
People living in isolated villages with a limited range of employment options earn a significant portion of their income from the sealing industry, in some cases, up to 35%. Considered in context, sealing can make an enormous impact on a family's well being: seals provide a livelihood, but they also provide meat for the kitchen table. In Newfoundland and Labrador, it is estimated that the edible portion of one Harp seal is worth an equivalent of $150 of store-bought meat. In the arctic, where store bought food is very expensive, the value of the edible meat of a single ringed seal is well over $200. (Dakins, 2007, Loring, 1993) (lie No 25 - no one is forcing them to live there. Besides, it is not aboriginal, who slaughter most of the seals, it is profit-greedy people)
Products of the Seal harvest
Approximately 15,000 people in the North Atlantic derive some income from sealing, in the way of meat, oils and pelts. Seal meat is very rich in protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B-12. (lie No. 26 - go green)
Omega-3 supplements are known to be helpful in preventing and treating diabetes, arthritis, epilepsy and cardiovascular disease - the leading cause of death in industrialized countries.(lie No. 27 - go green)
The skins of seals are extremely valuable for clothing. They are full of oil, increasing their water repellence, yet they are also porous, which allows body humidity to escape. These characteristics make seal skin very useful for winter coats, hats or boots.(lie No. 28 - people no longer need fur or skin to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
IFTF - FACT SHEET ON: SEALS AND SEALING
Sealing is important to coastal communities throughout the world. Seals are hunted or culled in Australia, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Greenland, Iceland, Namibia, Norway, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.
Conservation
The World Conservation Union (IUCN), the largest and most respected conservation organization in the world, supports the sustainable use of seals and other wildlife, as long as this is from abundant populations. (lie 15 - there is no abundant populations)
North Atlantic Harp seal populations have increased by 300% since the 1970s to approximately 5.5 million. (lie 16 - seal population is still relatively low in some areas (comparative before the great seal death)
Seal hunting is undertaken as a managed hunt or cull in many parts of the world. As such, regulations as to how seals can be hunted, who can hunt them, and how many are taken are applied. Each adult seal eats from 1 to 1.4 metric tonnes of fish, annually. Maintaining a healthy balance of the marine ecosystem is a challenge with increasing seal populations and declining fish populations. (lie No 17 - the nature manage this on its own - as it did before humans)
Without such sustainable population control, animal herds are regulated by starvation and disease, which creates considerably more suffering than a well-controlled harvest. (lie No. 18 - what stupid conviction)
Animal Welfare
Wherever animals are being hunted or killed, be it in an abattoir, on a farm or in the wild, the quickest and least painful mode of killing must always be used. (lie No. 19 - hypocrite)
Sealers are trained to work rapidly using methods that are regulated by government authorities. The North Atlantic harp seal hunt, in Canada and Greenland, is the largest in the world, where over 85% of seals killed in Canada are done so by firearm. (lie No. 20 - this is animal cruelty without precedent only for profit, they're brutal animal tormentors)
Both the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the Independent Veterinary Working Group have recognized that the rifle and the hakapik (club) are both appropriate tools in the humane hunt of seals. In Canada, hunting regulations are enforced by Department of Fisheries and Oceans staff and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (lie No.21 - give me the names of these, please)
"The large majority of seals that were studied in the Canadian hunt, 98%, were killed in a humane manner, which compares very favourably with results of surveys done in abattoirs in North America". (2007) (lie No. 22 - has anyone been in abattoirs in North America? "(2007)
Pierre-Yves Daoust, a member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and frequent observer at the Canadian harp seal hunt since 1999. (lie No 23 - is this the same, blind and deaf, veterinarian who observed all the movements of the seal hunt above?)
People and Seals
Inuit: Despite exemptions for Inuit-hunted seal pelts, Inuit and Greenlandic communities were hardest hit by the 1983 import ban on whitecoats and bluebacks imposed by the European Economic Community and the resulting global collapse in seal prices. Losing one of their only economic options, these communities suffered enormous socio-economic disintegration.(true No 2 - the fur trade should not be a future profession, they have to retrain themselves.
"The sealskin vest I am wearing is the result of Inuit carrying out their economy and livelihood. By doing this and doing it sustainably, we are setting a positive example to the world".
Sheila Watt-Cloutier, President, Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Canada, August 2002. (lie No. 24 - Sheila, do you also represent the fur fashion, cat walk and the IFTF?)
Coastal Fishermen
Sealing by coastal fishermen has taken place for millennia, with commercial sealing by Europeans starting over 300 years ago.(true No.3 - and now it's the 2000s)
People living in isolated villages with a limited range of employment options earn a significant portion of their income from the sealing industry, in some cases, up to 35%. Considered in context, sealing can make an enormous impact on a family's well being: seals provide a livelihood, but they also provide meat for the kitchen table. In Newfoundland and Labrador, it is estimated that the edible portion of one Harp seal is worth an equivalent of $150 of store-bought meat. In the arctic, where store bought food is very expensive, the value of the edible meat of a single ringed seal is well over $200. (Dakins, 2007, Loring, 1993) (lie No 25 - no one is forcing them to live there. Besides, it is not aboriginal, who slaughter most of the seals, it is profit-greedy people)
Products of the Seal harvest
Approximately 15,000 people in the North Atlantic derive some income from sealing, in the way of meat, oils and pelts. Seal meat is very rich in protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B-12. (lie No. 26 - go green)
Omega-3 supplements are known to be helpful in preventing and treating diabetes, arthritis, epilepsy and cardiovascular disease - the leading cause of death in industrialized countries.(lie No. 27 - go green)
The skins of seals are extremely valuable for clothing. They are full of oil, increasing their water repellence, yet they are also porous, which allows body humidity to escape. These characteristics make seal skin very useful for winter coats, hats or boots.(lie No. 28 - people no longer need fur or skin to survive in the cold, there are artificial materials today - animal cruelty can never be justifiable to make money)
IFTF - FACT SHEET ON: SEALS AND SEALING
Dogs hanging by the neck from a wire noose, water is poured down their throat through a hose until they drown. Many are skinned while still alive. This is just one of the horrific scenes captured on video by investigators from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) as they infiltrated the cat and dog fur industry in China, Thailand and the Philippines. Cats and dogs that were once someone's pets, rounded up, transported in sacks and crates. Some are held in dingy, dark unheated buildings during the bitter winter of northern China, often without food or water. The 18-month undercover investigation discovered that the trade in cat and dog fur is far bigger than was ever previously believed - the HSUS has revealed that more than 2 million of these domestic animals are abused and killed by the international fur trade each year.
And this sick trade isn't just something that happens in far off lands - at least one company in Britain recently traded openly in the furs of these animals.
Infiltrating this industry, the HSUS and German investigative reporter Manfred Karremann filmed and photographed the whole sordid business from start to finish, exposing how the trade is inextricably linked to the rest of the fur industry. Cat and dog fur products were found by the HSUS in several countries across Europe as well as the USA, and according to the HSUS "(fur) auction house employees said that some of their customers come from the US, though most are from Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain."
These animals end up as gloves, coats, hats or fur trim; their skins are used in the production of drums and other musical instruments.
Some of the animals are raised on breeding farms, mostly in northern China where the colder climate enhances the quality and thickness of the animals' coats.
Anywhere from 5 to 300 dogs are kept on dog farms; up to 70 cats are kept on the cat farms.
Not all the animals come from these breeding centres; some Chinese families keep a few cats or dogs and kill them when the annual slaughter season begins.
Long-haired cats are kept as pets in China. Short-haired cats, especially grey cats or orange tabbies, are kept outside, generally tethered by wire, and raised for their fur. Estimates are that about half a million cats are killed each season, from October to February.
Investigators visited fur companies where they were told 50,000 cat skins and the same number of dog skins were in stock. One claimed to have as many as 100,000 cat skins in its factory. The furs are made into coats that are virtually indistinguishable from fur such as mink or fox, and are on display with furs from other animals.
Referring to the similarities between domestic cat and dog fur, and fur from other species, a HSUS spokesperson said "We can consider all fur trim to be suspect", adding, "consumers have to be vigilant" and report suspicious items.
The president of a German company prominent in the cat fur trade is quoted as saying: "When cat fur is dyed it is not easily distinguished from other furs."
Around 24 cats are required to make a fur coat, and 10-12 dogs. This number is obviously higher if kittens and puppies are used.
Slaughterhouses In the Philippines, investigators visited a cat slaughterhouse where as many as 100 cats are killed and skinned on one day.
The animals here were killed primarily for their skin rather than fur, but the suffering is the same. Only male cats are used as the nipples of female cats reduces the usable size of the skin.
This has led to a scarcity of male cats in the city where the slaughterhouse is located, and collectors drive to distant cities to round up the cats. Some of the animals are strays, while most are stolen pets.
The cats are stuffed into sacks and driven for up to 6 hours without food or water to the slaughterhouse. Investigators witnessed cats hung from the neck by ropes, while other cats watched helplessly.
Videos and photos show young children helping in the slaughterhouse.
The involvement of children appears to be common, as when police in the Philippines raided the home of a woman in September '99 who had been killing cats for their fur, they found that she was using children to round up and kill the animals.
Police found the remains of butchered cats as well as live cats in bamboo cages. The home owner's business apparently exported the cats' fur to Japan (where it was used as lining for boots, purses and coats) and sold the flesh as meat to be ground into sausage.
Labelling It is clear that cat and dog fur does not usually get labelled as such. Fur traders told investigators that any label could be put in any garment or fur product, depending on the preference of the buyer.
According to the HSUS "in other words, the company supplying the fur was perfectly willing to label dog or cat fur as being fur from some other species presumably more acceptable to consumers."
A German importer told investigators that the export of cat and dog furs to the US wasn't a problem - explaining that it was just a question of what the product is called.
Cat fur - is known by several names: house cat, wild cat, Katzenfelle, Goyangi, mountain cat.
Dog fur - may be labelled as gae-wolf, goupee, or sobaki, among other names, while dog skin is often referred to as special skin, lamb skin or mountain goat skin.
Dog and cats skins - are used for a variety of products, such as bed sheets, golf gloves, handbags and rheumatism aids. In some countries the furs are on open sale - in Germany cat fur pelts, jackets and throws are on open sale in petrol stations.
And this sick trade isn't just something that happens in far off lands - at least one company in Britain recently traded openly in the furs of these animals.
Infiltrating this industry, the HSUS and German investigative reporter Manfred Karremann filmed and photographed the whole sordid business from start to finish, exposing how the trade is inextricably linked to the rest of the fur industry. Cat and dog fur products were found by the HSUS in several countries across Europe as well as the USA, and according to the HSUS "(fur) auction house employees said that some of their customers come from the US, though most are from Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain."
These animals end up as gloves, coats, hats or fur trim; their skins are used in the production of drums and other musical instruments.
Some of the animals are raised on breeding farms, mostly in northern China where the colder climate enhances the quality and thickness of the animals' coats.
Anywhere from 5 to 300 dogs are kept on dog farms; up to 70 cats are kept on the cat farms.
Not all the animals come from these breeding centres; some Chinese families keep a few cats or dogs and kill them when the annual slaughter season begins.
Long-haired cats are kept as pets in China. Short-haired cats, especially grey cats or orange tabbies, are kept outside, generally tethered by wire, and raised for their fur. Estimates are that about half a million cats are killed each season, from October to February.
Investigators visited fur companies where they were told 50,000 cat skins and the same number of dog skins were in stock. One claimed to have as many as 100,000 cat skins in its factory. The furs are made into coats that are virtually indistinguishable from fur such as mink or fox, and are on display with furs from other animals.
Referring to the similarities between domestic cat and dog fur, and fur from other species, a HSUS spokesperson said "We can consider all fur trim to be suspect", adding, "consumers have to be vigilant" and report suspicious items.
The president of a German company prominent in the cat fur trade is quoted as saying: "When cat fur is dyed it is not easily distinguished from other furs."
Around 24 cats are required to make a fur coat, and 10-12 dogs. This number is obviously higher if kittens and puppies are used.
Slaughterhouses In the Philippines, investigators visited a cat slaughterhouse where as many as 100 cats are killed and skinned on one day.
The animals here were killed primarily for their skin rather than fur, but the suffering is the same. Only male cats are used as the nipples of female cats reduces the usable size of the skin.
This has led to a scarcity of male cats in the city where the slaughterhouse is located, and collectors drive to distant cities to round up the cats. Some of the animals are strays, while most are stolen pets.
The cats are stuffed into sacks and driven for up to 6 hours without food or water to the slaughterhouse. Investigators witnessed cats hung from the neck by ropes, while other cats watched helplessly.
Videos and photos show young children helping in the slaughterhouse.
The involvement of children appears to be common, as when police in the Philippines raided the home of a woman in September '99 who had been killing cats for their fur, they found that she was using children to round up and kill the animals.
Police found the remains of butchered cats as well as live cats in bamboo cages. The home owner's business apparently exported the cats' fur to Japan (where it was used as lining for boots, purses and coats) and sold the flesh as meat to be ground into sausage.
Labelling It is clear that cat and dog fur does not usually get labelled as such. Fur traders told investigators that any label could be put in any garment or fur product, depending on the preference of the buyer.
According to the HSUS "in other words, the company supplying the fur was perfectly willing to label dog or cat fur as being fur from some other species presumably more acceptable to consumers."
A German importer told investigators that the export of cat and dog furs to the US wasn't a problem - explaining that it was just a question of what the product is called.
Cat fur - is known by several names: house cat, wild cat, Katzenfelle, Goyangi, mountain cat.
Dog fur - may be labelled as gae-wolf, goupee, or sobaki, among other names, while dog skin is often referred to as special skin, lamb skin or mountain goat skin.
Dog and cats skins - are used for a variety of products, such as bed sheets, golf gloves, handbags and rheumatism aids. In some countries the furs are on open sale - in Germany cat fur pelts, jackets and throws are on open sale in petrol stations.
HSUS investigation of the dog and cat fur trade in China A dog forced brutally into the waiting illegal slaughter house and a horrible death.
China, Sohu (2011) - Underground dog slaughterhouses. Killing and eating dogs has long been spat upon by dog lovers, especially when it comes to underground dog slaughterhouses where dogs are slaughtered cruelly everyday. Recently a small underground dog slaughterhouse was exposed after a month long look out by a journalist in Kunming City. Though the place was empty when the police arrived, what left behind on the spot still mirrored shocking slaughters. Source
China, Sohu (2011) - Underground dog slaughterhouses. Killing and eating dogs has long been spat upon by dog lovers, especially when it comes to underground dog slaughterhouses where dogs are slaughtered cruelly everyday. Recently a small underground dog slaughterhouse was exposed after a month long look out by a journalist in Kunming City. Though the place was empty when the police arrived, what left behind on the spot still mirrored shocking slaughters. Source
Over 2 million dogs are brutally killed in South Korea every year. That's over 5,000 dogs a day who get electrocuted, hanged, burned or beaten to death for their meat and skin.
To help the animals - stop buying fur - not even a strand of hair (pet toys) FUR - STYLE.COM
To help the animals - stop buying fur - not even a strand of hair (pet toys) FUR - STYLE.COM
PETA Asia's new shocking footage that shows viewers the reality of the fur industry: cold-hearted cruelty. Released Feb: 2012.
Man hangs dog to death as protest in a relocation dispute - In the morning of October 11th, 2011 people in Shenzhen Buji road near Shenhui road were stunned to see two dogs were hung from windows in a building and alongside were banners that said, "If cornered, even a dead dogs will jump off the building (“死狗急也跳楼”, adapted from a Chinese idiom "狗急会跳墙", literally means that a cornered dog will leap over the wall. The idiom means a man driven to desperation can do anything.) The incident seemed to be another relocation dispute. While the banner claimed the dogs were dead dogs, witness said the dogs were still alive when hung in the air, " They were still struggling a bit". Netizen O nePiece-D _M an said in his Weibo page, "The dogs were hung to death. I was at the scene. Dead dogs? No. The dogs were strangled and I could tell they were still struggling…I was at the scene today and it was me who called the police."
The dogs were hung in mid-air between the third floor and fourth floor in this 5-floor building. The banners and the dogs had attracted quite the crowd. Later a few officers in the community workstation came. They removed the banners and released the dogs. The dogs were dead by the time.
Mr. Zeng is the one who hang the dogs and the banners. He’s the contractor of this five-floor building. "I was left with no choice. The tenants refused to pay the rent. Now I still owe my landlord 11 months’ rent. The tenants have made an agreement with the Community Residential Committee that they can stop paying the rent, because the transformation of this area was up in the air for a long time." The transformation might involve relocation and demolition of the building. It has caused the traffic difficulty and affected the commercial tenants’ business in the building. "The tenants complained and the Community Residential Committee told the tenants, because the project was not settled yet, the tenants didn’t have to pay the rent for the time being. For that reason, I haven’t received the rent for 11 months. I had no other option." Now the transformation project was completed and no demolition was required. As to the contractor’s 11-month tent lost, reporters contacted the Community Residential Committee but so far they gave no reply yet.
Mr. Zeng explained the dogs were beaten to death by the security guards for fear that they would bite the passerby. He claimed, "Dogs won’t die from this kind of hanging." However, dog lovers condemned Mr.Zeng as being cruel and he should protest in a humane way. "If people have a problem, they go on protest. But if a dog’s right was violated, who will protest for them? Don’t impose your problems onto the innocent people or animals." Ms. Her, a dog lover said.
I must admit, that too many Chinese people seems insensitive to other living beings and torture and eat animals to seek superstitious physical goals. You get the idea that this nation is the world's cockroaches and locusts that eat and destroy everything in its path. "anonymous" Sure, it is worth to protest The British Connection - In March 1999, BBC Newsnight exposed a London fur company trading in cat and dog fur. The BBC investigator visited Alaska Brokerage International, based next door to the Head Quarters of the British Fur Trade Association.
Equipped with a hidden camera he secretly filmed an Alaska salesman (believed to be the director of the company, Peter Bartfeld) offering 10,000 "dressed goupee" (dog fur from China) skins and 150,000 cat furs.
He boasted to the investigator that whatever trade was being done in the fur in Britain, he was the one doing it.
Following this expose, Alaska International became a major campaign target of anti-fur campaigners.
Shortly after the Newsnight report, a director and the secretary of the company - Kenneth and Annie Brown - resigned from Alaska and the related company A B China Direct Ltd, claiming they had relinquished all connections with the fur trade.
Peter Bartfeld, his wife Carol and son Gideon, became joint directors of the company. Peter Bartfeld has a lot of business interests in the fur trade and is a former director of the British Fur Trade Association.
Protests have been held against the company and at the Bartfeld's north London home. In June '99 their son Alexander held a wedding reception near Hyde Park - over 100 hundred protesters gathered outside the hotel to demonstrate as friends and people from the fur business arrived to the reception.
An American fur trade journal - reported on actions being taken against Alaska and the Bartfeld's, saying that tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage had been caused to their home and that they have had to spend $25,000 on security.
It reports "In addition, he is constantly barraged by hate mail and falsely ordered subscriptions to publications and other unwanted services."
The more money Bartfeld has to spend on security makes the trade in the murder of innocent animals less profitable.
The Campaign in the United States - The findings of the HSUS investigation caused an even bigger stir in the US. A national department chain, the Burlington Coat Factory, was found to be selling fur-trimmed garments labelled as 'Mongolia Dog Fur', one of the many names used for domestic dog fur from China.
Only DNA testing can confirm the exact type of fur used, and the coat mentioned above turned out to be German Shepherd dog fur.
Following this, the Burlington Coat Factory removed all domestic cat and dog fur items and donated $100,000 to the HSUS to help cover the cost of the investigation. This was simply a public relations ploy to try and limit the damage caused, but it reveals how worried companies are at being exposed.
Unfortunately for Burlington, anti-fur campaigners have used this embarrassment to campaign for Burlington to stop selling any animal fur - after all what is the difference between a coyote and a German Shepherd?
What's the difference? While most people will be rightly horrified and distressed at the way in which cats and dogs are bred, stolen, transported, abused and killed for their fur, they will hopefully realise that there is no difference between this and the murder of other animals for their fur.
50 million animals are killed each year for their fur: reared on factory farms that cause them to go mad and mutilate themselves and each other, or caught in vicious leghold traps and left to starve, freeze, drown, be beaten to death or gnaw off their own limbs in a futile attempt to escape.
This is the reality of the fur trade. The trade does not care whether the animals they kill are wild animals, are bred specifically for their fur, or are stolen pets from someone's garden. Those in the fur trade have no conscience, no morals. They are governed by greed and selfishness.
Fur trade bodies in the US had a mixed reception to the expose. While the Fur Commission was reluctant to criticise the use of cat and dog fur (later trying to diffuse the situation by comparing the killing of 2 million cats and dogs to the 8 million domestic animals put down in US animal shelters), a spokesperson for the Fur Council described it as "distasteful to think about ... who would want to buy that? Dogs and cats are pets to us."
Members of the National Trappers Association joked about the issue, commenting "on the lighter side,
I was wondering if there is a market for those stray tom cats I catch in my coon cubbies!", referring to the thousands of "trash" (ie non-target) animals caught in their traps each year (coon means racoon).
In the UK, the fur industry at first remained silent. But later Jan Brown of the British Fur Trade Assn, the body representing the fur industry in Britain came out in support of the trade in cat and dog fur. She wrote to several national newspapers claiming that these animals were not pets and their slaughter for fur coats was justifiable.
The USA banned - the import, export and sale of products made from dog and cat fur in 2000.
Italy, France, Denmark, Greece, Belgium and Australia ban the import of cat and dog fur but the sale is still legal, and novelty items made from feral cat fur can sometimes be found in Australian gift shops, especially island areas.
The European Union ban on imports took effect as of the January 1, 2009 - However, some products made with dog or cat fur may be mislabeled, on purpose or accidentally.
Source & Source
- The method of slaughtering dogs and cats in live animal markets and restaurants is tragically cruel. Markets in China employ killing methods that leave both dogs and cats suffering a lingering, violent death as they are either bludgeoned over the head, stabbed in the neck or groin, hanged, electrocuted or thrown conscious into drums of boiling water.
- There are numerous conflicting beliefs regarding dog-eating, for example dogs are eaten in the summer months in Korea to cool the body down, but in China they are eaten in the winter to warm the body.
- In Korea, contrary to popular belief, dog-eating is a relatively recent phenomenon and has never been a part of their culinary history. The fabrication of dog and cat meat as an age-old part of Korean cultural heritage is a marketing strategy by unscrupulous vendors who are exploiting an easy-to-produce commodity.
- Dogs are eaten in large numbers in China and Korea, and on a smaller scale in parts of Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Myanmar, the Asian portions of the former Soviet Union, Thailand and Vietnam. In many of these countries, the practice is less than a few generations old.
- Cats are eaten in southern China, Korea and some parts of Indonesia.
- Animal People estimates that 13-16 million dogs and 4 million cats are butchered each year for human consumption in Asia.
- It is estimated that as many as 30% of the dogs sold for food in Korea are stolen pets.
- Dog eating is illegal in Hong Kong, Korea and the Philippines and was banned in Taiwan in 2001.
Man hangs dog to death as protest in a relocation dispute - In the morning of October 11th, 2011 people in Shenzhen Buji road near Shenhui road were stunned to see two dogs were hung from windows in a building and alongside were banners that said, "If cornered, even a dead dogs will jump off the building (“死狗急也跳楼”, adapted from a Chinese idiom "狗急会跳墙", literally means that a cornered dog will leap over the wall. The idiom means a man driven to desperation can do anything.) The incident seemed to be another relocation dispute. While the banner claimed the dogs were dead dogs, witness said the dogs were still alive when hung in the air, " They were still struggling a bit". Netizen O nePiece-D _M an said in his Weibo page, "The dogs were hung to death. I was at the scene. Dead dogs? No. The dogs were strangled and I could tell they were still struggling…I was at the scene today and it was me who called the police."
The dogs were hung in mid-air between the third floor and fourth floor in this 5-floor building. The banners and the dogs had attracted quite the crowd. Later a few officers in the community workstation came. They removed the banners and released the dogs. The dogs were dead by the time.
Mr. Zeng is the one who hang the dogs and the banners. He’s the contractor of this five-floor building. "I was left with no choice. The tenants refused to pay the rent. Now I still owe my landlord 11 months’ rent. The tenants have made an agreement with the Community Residential Committee that they can stop paying the rent, because the transformation of this area was up in the air for a long time." The transformation might involve relocation and demolition of the building. It has caused the traffic difficulty and affected the commercial tenants’ business in the building. "The tenants complained and the Community Residential Committee told the tenants, because the project was not settled yet, the tenants didn’t have to pay the rent for the time being. For that reason, I haven’t received the rent for 11 months. I had no other option." Now the transformation project was completed and no demolition was required. As to the contractor’s 11-month tent lost, reporters contacted the Community Residential Committee but so far they gave no reply yet.
Mr. Zeng explained the dogs were beaten to death by the security guards for fear that they would bite the passerby. He claimed, "Dogs won’t die from this kind of hanging." However, dog lovers condemned Mr.Zeng as being cruel and he should protest in a humane way. "If people have a problem, they go on protest. But if a dog’s right was violated, who will protest for them? Don’t impose your problems onto the innocent people or animals." Ms. Her, a dog lover said.
I must admit, that too many Chinese people seems insensitive to other living beings and torture and eat animals to seek superstitious physical goals. You get the idea that this nation is the world's cockroaches and locusts that eat and destroy everything in its path. "anonymous" Sure, it is worth to protest The British Connection - In March 1999, BBC Newsnight exposed a London fur company trading in cat and dog fur. The BBC investigator visited Alaska Brokerage International, based next door to the Head Quarters of the British Fur Trade Association.
Equipped with a hidden camera he secretly filmed an Alaska salesman (believed to be the director of the company, Peter Bartfeld) offering 10,000 "dressed goupee" (dog fur from China) skins and 150,000 cat furs.
He boasted to the investigator that whatever trade was being done in the fur in Britain, he was the one doing it.
Following this expose, Alaska International became a major campaign target of anti-fur campaigners.
Shortly after the Newsnight report, a director and the secretary of the company - Kenneth and Annie Brown - resigned from Alaska and the related company A B China Direct Ltd, claiming they had relinquished all connections with the fur trade.
Peter Bartfeld, his wife Carol and son Gideon, became joint directors of the company. Peter Bartfeld has a lot of business interests in the fur trade and is a former director of the British Fur Trade Association.
Protests have been held against the company and at the Bartfeld's north London home. In June '99 their son Alexander held a wedding reception near Hyde Park - over 100 hundred protesters gathered outside the hotel to demonstrate as friends and people from the fur business arrived to the reception.
An American fur trade journal - reported on actions being taken against Alaska and the Bartfeld's, saying that tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage had been caused to their home and that they have had to spend $25,000 on security.
It reports "In addition, he is constantly barraged by hate mail and falsely ordered subscriptions to publications and other unwanted services."
The more money Bartfeld has to spend on security makes the trade in the murder of innocent animals less profitable.
The Campaign in the United States - The findings of the HSUS investigation caused an even bigger stir in the US. A national department chain, the Burlington Coat Factory, was found to be selling fur-trimmed garments labelled as 'Mongolia Dog Fur', one of the many names used for domestic dog fur from China.
Only DNA testing can confirm the exact type of fur used, and the coat mentioned above turned out to be German Shepherd dog fur.
Following this, the Burlington Coat Factory removed all domestic cat and dog fur items and donated $100,000 to the HSUS to help cover the cost of the investigation. This was simply a public relations ploy to try and limit the damage caused, but it reveals how worried companies are at being exposed.
Unfortunately for Burlington, anti-fur campaigners have used this embarrassment to campaign for Burlington to stop selling any animal fur - after all what is the difference between a coyote and a German Shepherd?
What's the difference? While most people will be rightly horrified and distressed at the way in which cats and dogs are bred, stolen, transported, abused and killed for their fur, they will hopefully realise that there is no difference between this and the murder of other animals for their fur.
50 million animals are killed each year for their fur: reared on factory farms that cause them to go mad and mutilate themselves and each other, or caught in vicious leghold traps and left to starve, freeze, drown, be beaten to death or gnaw off their own limbs in a futile attempt to escape.
This is the reality of the fur trade. The trade does not care whether the animals they kill are wild animals, are bred specifically for their fur, or are stolen pets from someone's garden. Those in the fur trade have no conscience, no morals. They are governed by greed and selfishness.
Fur trade bodies in the US had a mixed reception to the expose. While the Fur Commission was reluctant to criticise the use of cat and dog fur (later trying to diffuse the situation by comparing the killing of 2 million cats and dogs to the 8 million domestic animals put down in US animal shelters), a spokesperson for the Fur Council described it as "distasteful to think about ... who would want to buy that? Dogs and cats are pets to us."
Members of the National Trappers Association joked about the issue, commenting "on the lighter side,
I was wondering if there is a market for those stray tom cats I catch in my coon cubbies!", referring to the thousands of "trash" (ie non-target) animals caught in their traps each year (coon means racoon).
In the UK, the fur industry at first remained silent. But later Jan Brown of the British Fur Trade Assn, the body representing the fur industry in Britain came out in support of the trade in cat and dog fur. She wrote to several national newspapers claiming that these animals were not pets and their slaughter for fur coats was justifiable.
The USA banned - the import, export and sale of products made from dog and cat fur in 2000.
Italy, France, Denmark, Greece, Belgium and Australia ban the import of cat and dog fur but the sale is still legal, and novelty items made from feral cat fur can sometimes be found in Australian gift shops, especially island areas.
The European Union ban on imports took effect as of the January 1, 2009 - However, some products made with dog or cat fur may be mislabeled, on purpose or accidentally.
Source & Source
check this.................
IFTF - International Fur Trade Federation In 1949, members of the fur trade formed the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), which brings together national associations from all parts of the world. With 42 member organisations in 35 countries, IFTF includes practically every important fur producing and consuming country. It draws together people from across the full spectrum of the trade: farmers; trappers; auction houses; merchants; brokers; dressers and dyers; manufacturers; wholesalers; marketing organisations and retailers.
The IFTF calls upon governments around the world to ensure that legislation affecting the fur trade is based on:
Details of legislation, regulations and standards in force which govern the international fur trade can be found on the Origin Assured website; originassured.com and on this website's pages Conservation and Farming - http://www.iftf.com/
The fur industry is a responsible industry. The IFTF and its members deplore cruelty to animals. The IFTF promotes strict codes of practice that meet or exceed established and accepted standards for animal welfare, for wild and farmed fur. The fur trade does not trade in endangered species.
All furs used by the fur trade are either farmed or are taken from abundant, sustainable populations in the wild. The IFTF and its Members support independent scientific research into animal welfare in farming, trapping, population and habitat conservation. The IFTF encourages and supports animal welfare legislation that is based on sound, objective scientific research around the world.
Through its work, and the activities of members, IFTF seeks to protect fur trade interests and promote innovation, high standards and a positive factual image of fur and the fur industry worldwide. The IFTF promotes strict codes of practice that meet or exceed established and accepted standards for animal welfare for both wild and farmed fur. The fur trade does not trade in endangered species. The fur trade has a long and fascinating history, stretching as far back as the Stone Age when skins were first worn by man for clothing and protection. Many ancient Mediterranean civilisations, including the Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans, attached great ceremonial importance to dressed (tanned) animal skins and furs, which were worn as a symbol of power and luxury, as well as protection in battle. In Northern Europe, fur began to be worn as a fashion item as well as for warmth from the 10th century. During the 11th and 12th centuries, hats made from beaver felt first became fashionable, developing into a trend for fur caps, gloves and muffs. This led to the foundation of the first European guilds for furriers. All these uses of fur helped to drive the increase in commerce but it was in the 17th century that the trade really took off. The need to satisfy European demand, initially for beaver hats, explains many key historical developments at this time. The search for fine skins was behind Russia's push eastwards, beyond the Urals into Siberia and the Pacific regions. And demand for fur led many Europeans to set out for newly discovered North America to trade with native populations, exchanging furs and food for tools. For some 200 years, there was intense competition between French and English adventurers, traders and even governments in the battle to control the North American fur trade. But the result was the exploration, mapping and settlement of much of modern day Canada. A key moment for the fur trade was in 1670, when King Charles II of England granted a charter to his cousin Prince Rupert and a group of investors to be true and absolute Lordes and Proprietors of all the land and seas around the Hudson Bay. Initially founded to meet the demand for beaver hats in Europe, by the early 19th century, the Hudson's Bay Company was one of the most powerful organisations in North America, controlling most of Canada as well as the trade in furs. During the 19th century, Australia and New Zealand became large suppliers of lambskins, and remain so to this day. To help the animals - stop buying fur - not even a strand of hair (pet toys) Towards the end of the 19th century, Central Asia (today's Uzbekistan, Turkemenistan and Afghanistan) became an important supplier of Karakul or Persian lamb skins. Russian and Armenian merchants would collect the skins and, after local bargaining, would bring them back for sale either in London, Leipzig or sell them domestically in Nishni Novgorod. By the early 1900s, Karakul farming was introduced into South West Africa (now Namibia), where the arid, desert conditions are similar to those of the Central Asian steppes. By the turn of the twentieth century, South America became of source of supply for a variety of skins for the fur trade. In the 1920s, Argentina and Uruguay were important suppliers, particularly of nutria and lambskins. Today, farmed furs (mainly mink and fox) are the mainstay of the fur trade, representing approximately 85% of the industry's turnover. The majority of skins both wild and farmed from all over the world are sold through international auction houses, from where fur starts its journey, via dressers and dyers, designers and manufacturers, to the consumer.
The trade in furs continues to support the traditional lifestyles and cultural values of many aboriginal Canadians, Alaskans, Cajun Louisianans, Siberians, Namibians and Afghans, many of whom live in regions that do not lend themselves to most agricultural activities. The fur trade's long history of craftsmanship also lives on. New technological developments combine with the traditional skills of the artisan to produce beautiful, unique creations out of the supremely natural product of fur.
All fur that are marketed around the world are for decoration, fashion and swagger. - fur trading today serves more as a currency on welfare in this boastful industry. This animal tormenting chain maintains many workers and employees around the world. But an industry that systematic tormenting animals can never rest on those terms. This industry do not play any essential role in the secular society, in addition to making profits and money from animal suffering
Denmark - Kopenhagen Fur (www.kopenhagenfur.com) is one of the world's largest fur auction houses and leading supplier of fur. Kopenhagen Fur's head office is located in Glostrup in Greater Copenhagen. The company is a co-operative established by Danish fur farmers.
IFTF - HOW IT WORKS
The fur trade is an exciting, complex and truly international trade sector. Its structure is unique, with fur adding value to many different sectors and national economies on the journey from its origins to the consumer.
The fur trade supports a remarkable range of cultures, traditional skills and lifestyles, while continually developing new techniques to meet the demands of the fashion world and today's consumer.
Today, more than 1 million people are employed full-time by the fur trade worldwide.
The fur trade is a responsible industry, highly regulated and committed to environmental conservation. No endangered species are used.
Sale by auction
The majority of raw skins produced by fur farmers and trappers are sold through modern international auction houses, often located close to producing areas. The farmers and trappers receive the price paid at auction, either direct or through local collectors, less a small commission for grading (sorting) and handling.
The world's largest auction houses are in Copenhagen, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Seattle and Toronto.
The skins are sold in graded and assorted bundles or lots, which buyers have an opportunity to view samples of during the inspection period before the auction.
Buyers are predominantly brokers, buying on behalf of their furrier clients, or dealers or merchants whose companies sell finished skins to furriers or manufacturers around the world.
The high value and volume of skins handled means that entrepot trade can have a high economic impact in countries which are not, in themselves, traditionally large markets for finished furs, for example, the United Kingdom.
Dressing and dyeing
From the auction houses, collectors or merchants, the skins are sent to dressing and dyeing companies. The dressing process covers cleaning, softening, preserving and drying the pelts.
Today, all fur types can be dyed to create vibrant fashion colours, from conventional dark to very light pastel shades. Furs can also be tip-dyed or blended to produce a more consistent colour. In addition to solid colour, new techniques mean that the opportunities to create patterns and special effects are endless.
The skins are then graded into colour, size, length of hair and texture before being sent to the manufacturer.
The main international centres for dressing and processing the skins in this way are in the Baltic States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy and Russia.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing of fur garments is a highly qualified profession, with many family-run businesses passing on traditional skills from generation to generation. The work requires meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.
In some of the newer manufacturing markets, a wave of young people is joining the fur trade, learning these traditional skills as well as the latest technological developments. Yet even with new technology, manufacturing of fur pieces continues to be a predominantly manual task.
The manufacturing company or furrier may follow the patterns of its own in-house designer or may work with international design houses.
Today, fur can be worked in a range of different ways to make it lighter to wear, suiting the demands of a modern lifestyle. Some of the techniques used by furriers and manufacturers to lighten the garment are shearing, plucking, knitting, leathering and weaving.
The most important centres for manufacturing are Canada, China, Greece, Hong Kong and Russia. Other centres exist in France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, Spain, Turkey, the Ukraine and the USA.
Trade Fairs
Retailers from all over the world attend trade shows held each year in Beijing, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kastoria, Madrid, Milan, Montreal and Moscow.
The shows allow even a small local furrier or fashion boutique to see the most up-to-date fur fashions and dyeing techniques and to buy the latest trends for the upcoming season.
Retail
Today, fur garments and accessories reach the final consumer via a wide range of retail outlets - specialised fur shops, international designer boutiques, department stores and fashion boutiques.
Demand for fur exists worldwide, but the largest consuming markets are China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, Russia and many of the former Soviet Republics, Spain and the USA. In general, demand is driven by economic, fashion and climatic conditions.
In recent years, fur has undergone a renaissance in the fashion world, with in excess of 400 leading international designers working with fur in their collections. In 2007/2008 international sales of fur garments reached a value of US$ 13 billion.
To help inform consumers about the fur they are buying, the International Fur Trade Federation introduced a labelling scheme for its European members, where all fur products sold to the consumer must carry a label stating the common name for the species in the local language and/or English together with the Latin scientific name.
For the last eight years, all IFTF Members have been required to introduce a fur labelling scheme in their country, if this does not already exist.
Following the introduction of the European labelling scheme, and the IFTF's ongoing commitment to openness, the IFTF and its industry partners launched the Origin Assured programme.
Since its introduction in 2006, the programme continues to be developed by the fur trade to inform customers that if they buy OA™ labelled fur, be it wild or farmed, it comes from countries which apply recognised legislation or standards in the ways animals are treated.
Monitored for correct use by an independent international agency, the OA™ label is given only to items that are 100% Origin Assured fur.
The members of the most unnecessary profit animal cruelty in the world - The Fur Trade On joining IFTF, a national fur association or organisation becomes part of the worldwide fur trade community.
Each member is entitled to appoint up to four national delegates to sit on the Council, which a grees Federation policy.
Membership benefits include advice and guidelines on trade issues, news on scientific, political and welfare developments, fur fashion and trends and support for PR and political work. IFTF also organises regular seminars and workshops for members to share experiences and debate issues affecting the fur sector.
IFTF's sister organisation, the European Fur Federation (EFF), was established in 1991 to represent European members within IFTF.
IFTF Member Association websites - National Contacts
Austria
WKO
Argentina
FACIF
Belgium
Belgische Bontfederatie vzw
Canada
Fur Council of Canada
Fur Institute of Canada
China
China National Native Produce and Animal By-Products Import & Export Corporation
China Fur Commission
Denmark
Kopenhagen Fur
Dansk Pelsgrossistforening
Estonia
Estonian Fur Association
Finland
Fur Finland
France
La Fourrure Francaise
Germany
Deutscher Pelz-Groß-und Außenhandelsverband e.V., German Fur Association of Wholesalers and Traders
Greece
Hellenic Fur Federation
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Fur Federation
Hungary
Hungarian Fur Trade Association
Iceland
Icelandic Fur Trade Association
Ireland
Irish Fur Breeders' Association
Italy
Associazione Italiana Pellicceria
Japan
Japan Fur Association
Korea
Korea Fur Industry Cooperative
Luxembourg
Association des Maîtres-Fourriers de Grande-Duche de Luxembourg
Namibia
Karakul Board of Namibia
Netherlands
Nederlandse Vereniging van Pelterijenfabrikanten en Groothandelaren in Bontvellen
New Zealand
New Zealand Fur Council Incorporated
Norway
Pelsinform
Norges Pelsdyralslag, Norwegian Fur Breeders Association
Poland
Polish Fur Federation
Portugal
ANIVEC/APIV, Associação Nacional das Indústrias de Vestuário e Confecção
Russia
Russian Fur Union
Sojuzpushnina
Spain
Organización Empresarial Española de la Peletería
Slovakia
Asociacia Kozusnikov Slovenska
Slovenia
Chamber of Craft of Slovenia, section of Tanners and Furriers
Sweden
Swedish Fur Trade Council
Swedish Fur Breeders'Association
Switzerland
SwissFur (Schweizerischer Pelzfachverband/Association professionnelle suisse de la fourrure/Associazione professionale svizzera della pellicceria)
Turkey
KSIAD
Ukraine
Ukrainian Association of Furriers
United Kingdom
British Fur Trade Association
United States of America
Fur Commission USA
FICA [Fur Information Council of America]
FICA
Source
www.alibaba.com
Fur Auctions - currency in fur and animal cruelty
On sale: Copenhagen Fur (world wide):
Current sales programme - Sales reports
Per month total offering
February. 2012:
Skins (number of killed animals): 4,989,855. Lots: 20,706. Show lots: 6,212
April. 2012:
Skins (number of killed animals): 5,234,975. Lots: 21,173. Show lots: 6,597
IFTF - International Fur Trade Federation In 1949, members of the fur trade formed the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), which brings together national associations from all parts of the world. With 42 member organisations in 35 countries, IFTF includes practically every important fur producing and consuming country. It draws together people from across the full spectrum of the trade: farmers; trappers; auction houses; merchants; brokers; dressers and dyers; manufacturers; wholesalers; marketing organisations and retailers.
- The IFTF is the only international body to represent the international fur trade. The IFTF has 42 national member associations and organisations in 35 countries.
- The IFTF promotes strict codes of practice that meet or exceed established and accepted standards for animal welfare, for wild and farmed fur. The fur trade does not trade in endangered species. The legitimate fur trade is a responsible industry.
- The IFTF supports and encourages the introduction of animal welfare legislation that is based on sound scientific research and other practical considerations, around the world.
- The IFTF promotes the right of the legitimate fur trade to conduct its business without unreasonable barriers or discriminatory laws.
The IFTF calls upon governments around the world to ensure that legislation affecting the fur trade is based on:
- fair trade principles (WTO)
- objective, balanced, factual information
- good, sound science
- protecting the rights of individuals to conduct legitimate business in peace
- protecting the rights of individuals to freely choose to purchase legitimate fur products in peace
- The IFTF asks governments around the world to recognise and understand the difference between animal rights and animal welfare, and that animal rights groups have extreme views that are not representative of the majority of voters.
- The IFTF calls on governments around the world to work with the fur trade on issues that affect the fur trade.
- The IFTF is always available to provide governments with information and assistance in any way.
Details of legislation, regulations and standards in force which govern the international fur trade can be found on the Origin Assured website; originassured.com and on this website's pages Conservation and Farming - http://www.iftf.com/
The fur industry is a responsible industry. The IFTF and its members deplore cruelty to animals. The IFTF promotes strict codes of practice that meet or exceed established and accepted standards for animal welfare, for wild and farmed fur. The fur trade does not trade in endangered species.
All furs used by the fur trade are either farmed or are taken from abundant, sustainable populations in the wild. The IFTF and its Members support independent scientific research into animal welfare in farming, trapping, population and habitat conservation. The IFTF encourages and supports animal welfare legislation that is based on sound, objective scientific research around the world.
Through its work, and the activities of members, IFTF seeks to protect fur trade interests and promote innovation, high standards and a positive factual image of fur and the fur industry worldwide. The IFTF promotes strict codes of practice that meet or exceed established and accepted standards for animal welfare for both wild and farmed fur. The fur trade does not trade in endangered species. The fur trade has a long and fascinating history, stretching as far back as the Stone Age when skins were first worn by man for clothing and protection. Many ancient Mediterranean civilisations, including the Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans, attached great ceremonial importance to dressed (tanned) animal skins and furs, which were worn as a symbol of power and luxury, as well as protection in battle. In Northern Europe, fur began to be worn as a fashion item as well as for warmth from the 10th century. During the 11th and 12th centuries, hats made from beaver felt first became fashionable, developing into a trend for fur caps, gloves and muffs. This led to the foundation of the first European guilds for furriers. All these uses of fur helped to drive the increase in commerce but it was in the 17th century that the trade really took off. The need to satisfy European demand, initially for beaver hats, explains many key historical developments at this time. The search for fine skins was behind Russia's push eastwards, beyond the Urals into Siberia and the Pacific regions. And demand for fur led many Europeans to set out for newly discovered North America to trade with native populations, exchanging furs and food for tools. For some 200 years, there was intense competition between French and English adventurers, traders and even governments in the battle to control the North American fur trade. But the result was the exploration, mapping and settlement of much of modern day Canada. A key moment for the fur trade was in 1670, when King Charles II of England granted a charter to his cousin Prince Rupert and a group of investors to be true and absolute Lordes and Proprietors of all the land and seas around the Hudson Bay. Initially founded to meet the demand for beaver hats in Europe, by the early 19th century, the Hudson's Bay Company was one of the most powerful organisations in North America, controlling most of Canada as well as the trade in furs. During the 19th century, Australia and New Zealand became large suppliers of lambskins, and remain so to this day. To help the animals - stop buying fur - not even a strand of hair (pet toys) Towards the end of the 19th century, Central Asia (today's Uzbekistan, Turkemenistan and Afghanistan) became an important supplier of Karakul or Persian lamb skins. Russian and Armenian merchants would collect the skins and, after local bargaining, would bring them back for sale either in London, Leipzig or sell them domestically in Nishni Novgorod. By the early 1900s, Karakul farming was introduced into South West Africa (now Namibia), where the arid, desert conditions are similar to those of the Central Asian steppes. By the turn of the twentieth century, South America became of source of supply for a variety of skins for the fur trade. In the 1920s, Argentina and Uruguay were important suppliers, particularly of nutria and lambskins. Today, farmed furs (mainly mink and fox) are the mainstay of the fur trade, representing approximately 85% of the industry's turnover. The majority of skins both wild and farmed from all over the world are sold through international auction houses, from where fur starts its journey, via dressers and dyers, designers and manufacturers, to the consumer.
The trade in furs continues to support the traditional lifestyles and cultural values of many aboriginal Canadians, Alaskans, Cajun Louisianans, Siberians, Namibians and Afghans, many of whom live in regions that do not lend themselves to most agricultural activities. The fur trade's long history of craftsmanship also lives on. New technological developments combine with the traditional skills of the artisan to produce beautiful, unique creations out of the supremely natural product of fur.
All fur that are marketed around the world are for decoration, fashion and swagger. - fur trading today serves more as a currency on welfare in this boastful industry. This animal tormenting chain maintains many workers and employees around the world. But an industry that systematic tormenting animals can never rest on those terms. This industry do not play any essential role in the secular society, in addition to making profits and money from animal suffering
Denmark - Kopenhagen Fur (www.kopenhagenfur.com) is one of the world's largest fur auction houses and leading supplier of fur. Kopenhagen Fur's head office is located in Glostrup in Greater Copenhagen. The company is a co-operative established by Danish fur farmers.
IFTF - HOW IT WORKS
The fur trade is an exciting, complex and truly international trade sector. Its structure is unique, with fur adding value to many different sectors and national economies on the journey from its origins to the consumer.
The fur trade supports a remarkable range of cultures, traditional skills and lifestyles, while continually developing new techniques to meet the demands of the fashion world and today's consumer.
Today, more than 1 million people are employed full-time by the fur trade worldwide.
The fur trade is a responsible industry, highly regulated and committed to environmental conservation. No endangered species are used.
Sale by auction
The majority of raw skins produced by fur farmers and trappers are sold through modern international auction houses, often located close to producing areas. The farmers and trappers receive the price paid at auction, either direct or through local collectors, less a small commission for grading (sorting) and handling.
The world's largest auction houses are in Copenhagen, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Seattle and Toronto.
The skins are sold in graded and assorted bundles or lots, which buyers have an opportunity to view samples of during the inspection period before the auction.
Buyers are predominantly brokers, buying on behalf of their furrier clients, or dealers or merchants whose companies sell finished skins to furriers or manufacturers around the world.
The high value and volume of skins handled means that entrepot trade can have a high economic impact in countries which are not, in themselves, traditionally large markets for finished furs, for example, the United Kingdom.
Dressing and dyeing
From the auction houses, collectors or merchants, the skins are sent to dressing and dyeing companies. The dressing process covers cleaning, softening, preserving and drying the pelts.
Today, all fur types can be dyed to create vibrant fashion colours, from conventional dark to very light pastel shades. Furs can also be tip-dyed or blended to produce a more consistent colour. In addition to solid colour, new techniques mean that the opportunities to create patterns and special effects are endless.
The skins are then graded into colour, size, length of hair and texture before being sent to the manufacturer.
The main international centres for dressing and processing the skins in this way are in the Baltic States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy and Russia.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing of fur garments is a highly qualified profession, with many family-run businesses passing on traditional skills from generation to generation. The work requires meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.
In some of the newer manufacturing markets, a wave of young people is joining the fur trade, learning these traditional skills as well as the latest technological developments. Yet even with new technology, manufacturing of fur pieces continues to be a predominantly manual task.
The manufacturing company or furrier may follow the patterns of its own in-house designer or may work with international design houses.
Today, fur can be worked in a range of different ways to make it lighter to wear, suiting the demands of a modern lifestyle. Some of the techniques used by furriers and manufacturers to lighten the garment are shearing, plucking, knitting, leathering and weaving.
The most important centres for manufacturing are Canada, China, Greece, Hong Kong and Russia. Other centres exist in France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, Spain, Turkey, the Ukraine and the USA.
Trade Fairs
Retailers from all over the world attend trade shows held each year in Beijing, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kastoria, Madrid, Milan, Montreal and Moscow.
The shows allow even a small local furrier or fashion boutique to see the most up-to-date fur fashions and dyeing techniques and to buy the latest trends for the upcoming season.
Retail
Today, fur garments and accessories reach the final consumer via a wide range of retail outlets - specialised fur shops, international designer boutiques, department stores and fashion boutiques.
Demand for fur exists worldwide, but the largest consuming markets are China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, Russia and many of the former Soviet Republics, Spain and the USA. In general, demand is driven by economic, fashion and climatic conditions.
In recent years, fur has undergone a renaissance in the fashion world, with in excess of 400 leading international designers working with fur in their collections. In 2007/2008 international sales of fur garments reached a value of US$ 13 billion.
To help inform consumers about the fur they are buying, the International Fur Trade Federation introduced a labelling scheme for its European members, where all fur products sold to the consumer must carry a label stating the common name for the species in the local language and/or English together with the Latin scientific name.
For the last eight years, all IFTF Members have been required to introduce a fur labelling scheme in their country, if this does not already exist.
Following the introduction of the European labelling scheme, and the IFTF's ongoing commitment to openness, the IFTF and its industry partners launched the Origin Assured programme.
Since its introduction in 2006, the programme continues to be developed by the fur trade to inform customers that if they buy OA™ labelled fur, be it wild or farmed, it comes from countries which apply recognised legislation or standards in the ways animals are treated.
Monitored for correct use by an independent international agency, the OA™ label is given only to items that are 100% Origin Assured fur.
The members of the most unnecessary profit animal cruelty in the world - The Fur Trade On joining IFTF, a national fur association or organisation becomes part of the worldwide fur trade community.
Each member is entitled to appoint up to four national delegates to sit on the Council, which a grees Federation policy.
Membership benefits include advice and guidelines on trade issues, news on scientific, political and welfare developments, fur fashion and trends and support for PR and political work. IFTF also organises regular seminars and workshops for members to share experiences and debate issues affecting the fur sector.
IFTF's sister organisation, the European Fur Federation (EFF), was established in 1991 to represent European members within IFTF.
IFTF Member Association websites - National Contacts
Austria
WKO
Argentina
FACIF
Belgium
Belgische Bontfederatie vzw
Canada
Fur Council of Canada
Fur Institute of Canada
China
China National Native Produce and Animal By-Products Import & Export Corporation
China Fur Commission
Denmark
Kopenhagen Fur
Dansk Pelsgrossistforening
Estonia
Estonian Fur Association
Finland
Fur Finland
France
La Fourrure Francaise
Germany
Deutscher Pelz-Groß-und Außenhandelsverband e.V., German Fur Association of Wholesalers and Traders
Greece
Hellenic Fur Federation
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Fur Federation
Hungary
Hungarian Fur Trade Association
Iceland
Icelandic Fur Trade Association
Ireland
Irish Fur Breeders' Association
Italy
Associazione Italiana Pellicceria
Japan
Japan Fur Association
Korea
Korea Fur Industry Cooperative
Luxembourg
Association des Maîtres-Fourriers de Grande-Duche de Luxembourg
Namibia
Karakul Board of Namibia
Netherlands
Nederlandse Vereniging van Pelterijenfabrikanten en Groothandelaren in Bontvellen
New Zealand
New Zealand Fur Council Incorporated
Norway
Pelsinform
Norges Pelsdyralslag, Norwegian Fur Breeders Association
Poland
Polish Fur Federation
Portugal
ANIVEC/APIV, Associação Nacional das Indústrias de Vestuário e Confecção
Russia
Russian Fur Union
Sojuzpushnina
Spain
Organización Empresarial Española de la Peletería
Slovakia
Asociacia Kozusnikov Slovenska
Slovenia
Chamber of Craft of Slovenia, section of Tanners and Furriers
Sweden
Swedish Fur Trade Council
Swedish Fur Breeders'Association
Switzerland
SwissFur (Schweizerischer Pelzfachverband/Association professionnelle suisse de la fourrure/Associazione professionale svizzera della pellicceria)
Turkey
KSIAD
Ukraine
Ukrainian Association of Furriers
United Kingdom
British Fur Trade Association
United States of America
Fur Commission USA
FICA [Fur Information Council of America]
FICA
Source
www.alibaba.com
Fur Auctions - currency in fur and animal cruelty
- Canada - Fur Harvesters (wild animals)
- Canada - NAFA (North Americans Fur Auctions)
- Denmark - Kopenhagen Fur
- Finland - Saga Furs
- Russia - Sojzpushnina
- China - Hong Kong Fur Federation
- UK - British Fur Trade
On sale: Copenhagen Fur (world wide):
Current sales programme - Sales reports
Per month total offering
February. 2012:
Skins (number of killed animals): 4,989,855. Lots: 20,706. Show lots: 6,212
April. 2012:
Skins (number of killed animals): 5,234,975. Lots: 21,173. Show lots: 6,597