Fur farming facts applying to fur farms in Ireland and EU

Export Earnings: Irish fur farms last year exported 200,000 mink pelts to a value of €5 million,

produced from local raw materials.

Irish fur producers receive absolutely no subsides, either from EU or the Irish Government.

Employment:  Currently there are five fur farms operating in Ireland, three of which are situated in Gaeltacht areas. These farms are a natural and important part of the agricultural sector and contribute to maintaining vibrant rural communities. In these areas there are minimal alternative opportunities for permanent employment. The farms provide full -time employment for 80 people and spin-off employment in food, transport, engineering, refrigeration and construction will double the employment figure. Last year €1.6 million was spent in direct wages between the five fur farms.

Consumption of By-Products:  The Irish fur farms are a valuable purchaser of animal by-products.

Fur farms consume approximately 2,000 tons of fish offal and 7,000 tons of poultry, pork,  cattle, and sheep by-products from Irish processing plants annually.  Processing plants make cost savings not having to pay rendering charges.

Domestication:  We would like to stress that farmed fur animals are not wild animals.

Like any other farmed species they differ markedly from the wild strain of their species, since these

cannot be successfully kept in domestic conditions.  According to EU legislation farmed fur animals are regarded as farm animals (Directive 98/58/EC). Mink have been farmed for 149 years!

Welfare:   The Irish Fur Breeders’ Association is a member of the European Fur Breeders Association--  EFBA , ( www.efba-eu.com ) an umbrella organisation for the fur breeders in 15 European countries. EFBA has introduced its own “Code of Practice for the care and handling of farmed Mink, fitch and fox in Europe”. This Code of Practice completely reflects the Recommendation from the Council of Europe.

All members of EFBA have adopted this Code of Practice. Animal welfare is paramount at national as well as at EU level, and we as fur producers have the greatest interest in the well being of our animals.

Veterinary inspectors from the Department of Agriculture make regular and unannounced visits to Irish fur farms.

Fur farming in EU: There are currently 6,000 fur farms operating in the EU member states with an annual production of 31 million fur pelts (57.8% of world production).

Fur is an ecologically sustainable product.

IRISH FUR BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION