Plea for Ministry of Defence to go fur-free

Coatbridge’s MP has urged the Ministry of Defence to go “fur-free” – saying there is “no excuse” not to do so.

Steven Bonnar made the plea after attending a special reception hosted by PETA, where he had the opportunity to see and feel the world’s first faux bear fur.

This fabric has been expertly created by luxury faux furrier ECOPEL to replace the bearskins used to make the Queen’s Guard’s caps.

The reception brought together campaigners and policymakers to call for the high-performing, humane material – which looks and functions just as real bear fur does - to be quick-marched into service.

The event was attended by dozens of officials, including Lord Goldsmith, Kerry Mccarthy MP and Sir Roger Gale MP, and other special guests included PETA supporters like TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher.

Mr Bonnar told the Advertiser: “There is no excuse for the MOD to continue funding the slaughter of bears for ornamental caps when a viable faux fur is now available.

“The humane fabric not only looks like the real thing but performs like – or in some areas out-performs – bearskin and would allow tradition to marry with 21st century values.

“Making the switch to faux fur would also save the taxpayer over a million pounds, so it’s a nobrainer and I implore the MOD to act now.”

PETA senior campaigns manager Kate Werner added: “A viable and humane faux bear fur has been tried and tested and is ready to go – there can be no more excuses.”

ECOPEL has offered the MOD an unlimited amount of the faux

bear fur free of charge until 2030 – a move that could save taxpayers over £1 million.

The fabric meets all the Mod’s requirements; it matches the exact length of real bear fur, is

100 per cent waterproof, and performs similarly in “water shedding”, drying rate, and compression tests.

Atom Cianfarani, independent fabric technologist, said: “The

combination of ECOPEL’S fabric, along with a waterproof membrane such as Tyvek, will produce a fast-drying, lightweight cap that will be more comfortable and less toxic for the wearer while still conveying the historically important image of the Grenadiers.”

For more information, visit https://www.peta.org.uk/ or follow PETA on Facebook.

Hats off Mr Bonner (inset) says there is“no excuse”for the MOD to continue to“fund the slaughter of bears”