The Decision Is All Yours!

PETA and CAFT have strong campaigns for the abolition of the fur trade, but is it enough to stop shops such as Harrods and Burberry from selling fur garments? With well-known celebrities such as Eva Mendes campaigning against the fur trade, will it make a difference?

Campaigns such as The Bloody Burberry campaign show shocking videos of the imprisonment of animals. These videos lead us to believe through people hearing and researching into the fur industry, an increasing amount of individuals will be against the selling of real fur. Pressure from anti-fur campaigns has already resulted in the banning of fur-farming in England and Wales in 2000, alongside fox and chinchilla farming being banned in Sweden and Holland. Roots (2007). Anti-fur campaigns have had a substantial effect on fur-farming, will this continue? Facts show the efforts organisations are going to to abolish the fur-trade in different countries is showing results. Through the introduction of new laws and the continuing of campaigns, will this see more and more countries banning fur-farming.

Through the persistent campaigns and pestering towards fur wearing celebrities, will this reduce the amount of fur that is being sold?

The answer is No. Care for the wild (2012) found, with an estimated value of £10 billion the popularity of fur, is increasing. Although PETA and CAFT are making a difference, is there more they can do?

Research by Gale & Kaur  (2004) found 'Anti-fur groups say that in the US, 80% of 'upscale' or high-income consumers prefer to shop at fur-free stores. ' For anti-fur groups such as PETA and CAFT, this figure will encourage the persistency of their campaigns. This is a satisfying figure although they want to achieve outright abolishment within shops. Further research by Gale & Kaur (2004) indicates 'Pro-fur groups say that, in the UK, 81 percent of people say it is 'acceptable to farm animals for there purpose provided there in animal welfare.' Providing animal welfare is taken into consideration, does this make fur-farming acceptable? As statistics show, 81% of people in the UK believe fur-farming is ok if the animals are treated fairly, do you believe fur-farming will become animal friendly? We see it as  a positive way of thinking although, as sad as it is, the welfare of animals is primarily up to the fur-bearers rather than the government. Curnutt (2001).

Before writing this blog we knew a reasonable amount about the fur trade through the protests at Harrods, although through ignorance we didn’t realise the extent to which the animals were treated.  Horrifying videos on the treatment of fox’s, rabbits, chinchillas and even dogs have left a disturbing image. If everyone was to see these videos, would it make a difference

References


Gale, C & Kaur, J (2004). Fashion and textiles: an overview. Oxford: Berg. p57.

Roots, C (2007). Domestication. United States Of America: Greenwood Press. p127.

Curnutt, J (2001). Animals and the law; a sourcebook. United States of America: Library of congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data, p209.

Care for the wild. (2012). Care for the wild: Fighting the Fur Trade – China . Available: http://www.careforthewild.com/what-we-do/campaigns/previous-campaigns/fighting-the-fur-trade/. Last accessed 14/04/2013.