It’s cause for celebration for ISPCA, Eurogroup for Animals’ Irish member organisation, which has been working to end fur farming for many years, and recently with the successful campaign #FurFreeIreland.

The Government decision was based on “considerable international and societal debate about fur farming”, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., as well as the fact that the farming of mink and other wild animals is counter to good animal welfare. 

The next steps for the Government will be to bring forward a Bill drafted with the Attorney General’s Office for a phased ban affecting the very small number of existing operators in Ireland – just 3 farms in total, located in counties Donegal, Laois and Kerry, which produce approximately 110,000 pelts per annum. It will also be illegal for any new fur farms to be established. 

The ban comes hot on the heels of Norway’s decision on 13th June to ban fur farming by 2025.