By December 1, 2023 at the latest, fur farms and force-feeding for the production of foie gras will be prohibited in Flanders. “30 years ago, I was one of the founders of the very first anti-fur organisation in Belgium. At that time I could only dream of a ban”, says Michel Vandenbosch. “With GAIA, we have campaigned for more than 20 years to achieve a ban on fur farming and force-feeding (for foie gras production).”

The Flemish Government has also decided to provide for a financial compensation for the 17 remaining fur farmers. The sooner they stop (before December 1, 2023), the higher the amount they will receive. Michel Vandenbosch: “As far as we are concerned: the earlier the better!”

Fur farms have already been banned in the two other Belgian regions of Wallonia and the Brussels region.