Progress! Poland, Europe’s Largest Fur Producer, May Finally Shut Down the Cruel Industry

Last month brought major progress for the global movement to end the cruel fur trade when the lower chamber of Poland’s parliament, known as the Sejm, approved a ban on fur farming. The bill would shut down the abusive industry nationwide by 2033 and offer payouts to fur farmers who close their businesses early. It passed in the lower house with significant cross-party support from left, centrist, and conservative lawmakers, with only the far-right Confederation party unanimously opposing the measure. Supporters of the bill noted that banning fur farming reflects the will of the vast majority of Polish voters, as annual polling consistently shows around 70% in favor of a ban.

Poland is the largest fur producer in the European Union and one of the top four worldwide, with an estimated three million pelts coming from the country in 2023 alone, according to Four Paws International. The animals killed on Polish fur farms are primarily minks—semi-aquatic, solitary animals denied any freedom to express natural behaviors in these grim facilities. They never have the opportunity to swim, and undercover investigations have found that they are typically confined to barren wire cages packed closely together, leading to extreme stress, injuries, and frequent self-mutilation from boredom and psychological strain caused by captivity.

Banning the fur industry in Poland would not only save the lives of millions of innocent animals, it would also send a clear message to the European Union that it is time to end this horrific and outdated industry once and for all. Now that the bill has passed in Poland’s lower chamber, it must still be approved by the Senate and signed into law by the president to officially take effect.

Please join Species Unite in opposing the horrors of the fur industry by supporting our ongoing petitions to end the use of fur in fashion. Although individual nations like Poland taking action is a huge step forward, we must continue holding the fashion industry accountable so that this cruel relic of the past is finally consigned to the history books where it belongs. If you haven’t already, sign the three petitions below to make your voice heard.