Time for Europe to go fur-free

In a handful of European countries, millions of mink, foxes, raccoon dogs and chinchillas are still being bred and killed for their fur, for a luxury product no one needs. These are wild animals, confined for their entire lives to small wire cages where they cannot express their natural behaviours. Scientific studies and investigations have repeatedly shown that such conditions cause severe physical and psychological suffering.

Public attitudes have changed, and so have national laws. Public attitudes have changed, and so have national laws. Over the past two decades, 17 EU Member States have taken a stand against this cruelty, introducing bans on fur farming and phasing the industry out entirely. A number of other Member States have restricted the farming of some species or introduced stricter rules that have effectively curtailed the practice. Yet, despite growing scientific evidence and overwhelming public support for an EU-wide ban, fur farming continues in a few countries—including Greece, Finland, Poland, Spain and Hungary—and fur products are still imported and sold across the Union.

Humane World for Animals (formerly called Humane Society International/Europe) has long been at the forefront of efforts to end fur farming in Europe. Working closely with national coalitions, political partners and the Fur Free Alliance, we’ve helped deliver some of the most significant victories for animals in recent years. In Italy, we supported the campaign that convinced Parliament to permanently ban fur farming, and in Romania, our advocacy helped secure a historic vote to phase out fur farming by 2027. At the EU level, Humane World for Animals played an active role in the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), which gathered more than 1.5 million verified signatures—a clear message that Europeans want an end to fur cruelty.

We continue to champion the EU campaign to transform this citizen mandate into lasting legislative change: a ban on both the production of fur and the placement of farmed fur products on the EU market.

A turning point: Science, policy and public will align

In response to the Fur Free Europe ECI, the European Commission requested a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the welfare of animals kept for fur production. Published in July 2025, EFSA’s findings were unequivocal: Fur farming causes systemic welfare problems that cannot be solved in current caging systems, which restrict the animals’ movements and don’t allow them to act out their natural behaviours. At the same time, the Commission added the American mink (Neovison vison) — the species most commonly farmed for fur — to the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern. This means that, from August 2027, breeding and keeping mink will be banned across Member States unless a special authorisation is granted, marking a major step toward ending the industry.

With the science confirmed, the environmental risks recognised, and citizens united, the Commission now faces a clear moral and political choice.

Why now?

This is a historic moment—and perhaps the EU’s best opportunity to end fur farming once and for all. The European Commission is expected to announce its legislative proposal for political action, including changes in the EU legislation, in early 2026.

If they act decisively, they can deliver a Europe where no animal is caged and killed for fur, aligning policy with science and public values. If the cCommission hesitates, millions more animals will continue to suffer—and the cruel fur trade will persist under the guise of “fashion.”

Now is the time for citizens across the European Union to speak out and demand a compassionate future.