Local MP Backs Call for Fur Free Britain

This Wednesday, Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough attended a reception in Parliament hosted by the Fur Free Britain coalition. The event brought together organisations such as FOUR PAWS UK and Humane Society International UK, as well as MPs, experts and celebrities all calling for an end to the UK’s involvement in the farmed fur trade. 

During the reception, Tom heard from experts and campaigners who urged the Government to support Ruth Jones MP’s Private Members’ Bill, which calls for a ban on the import and sale of farmed fur products. 

Despite fur farming being banned in the UK since 2000, Government statistics reveal that the UK still imports £50 - £70 million worth of farmed fur annually. Much of this fur is sourced from countries such as Poland, Finland, Greece, the United States, Canada and China. 

Attendees at the reception were shown disturbing footage from investigations into so-called ‘high welfare’ fur farms in Finland, exposing the grim reality of animal suffering in the fur farming industry. Experts at the event also highlighted the broader risks associated with fur farming, including warnings from leading virologists that it could spark future global pandemics. 

Commenting, Tom said: 

‘Since the UK banned fur faming in 2000, other countries have followed our lead by banning it as well. Now we must take the next step and show true leadership on animal protection by banning farmed fur imports and sales. Without such a ban, the UK is effectively outsourcing fur cruelty overseas, perpetuating the problem rather than fixing it. 

‘As well as it being the right thing to do, it is also something that the British public overwhelmingly supports. I am pleased that Ruth Jones has brought this bill forward. It is time for real change to ensure the UK no longer facilitates animals suffering for the sake of fashion or profit. 

ENDS