Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stars back our bid to ban sick fur trade
Public and stars back our campaign
THE Mirror’s call for a ban on fur sales is backed by the public and a host of celebrities in an overwhelming plea to end animal cruelty.
While fur farming is outlawed in Britain, the trade in pelts is not – but now seven in 10 people say it should be.
Backing our campaign, actor Ricky Gervais said: “How can Britain still sell fur when we banned fur farming for being cruel? It’s utter hypocrisy and that’s why I wholeheartedly support the #Furfreebritain campaign.”
The After Life star, 59, added: “I will never understand why anyone would want to wear fur
– a beautiful fox who has been beaten or electrocuted, a mink who has been gassed to death, or a coyote who has suffered in a leghold trap and then been shot in the head. How can anyone want to wear that on their hat or their coat?”
Dame Judi Dench, 85, also gave her support. She said: “I’m proud that the UK was the first country in the world to ban fur farming and I hope we’ll be the first to ban fur sales. Fur farming is cruel and unnecessary.”
Some 72% deplore the killing of foxes, raccoon dogs, mink and rabbits among other creatures in what many brand a “cruel and outdated” industry.
And 93% say they have never worn or no longer wear fur, according to a Yougov poll of 2,000 people.
The Mirror’s campaign to stop the import of fur products was launched yesterday in collaboration with charity Humane Society International UK. We are also calling for an end to animals being trapped for their skins here, and for action to be taken over businesses knowingly passing off
real fur as fake. Footage obtained by the charity’s investigators uncovered horrific scenes at Asian fur farms. Foxes and raccoon dogs were shown living in appalling conditions and enduring painful deaths.
Foxes were filmed being repeatedly bludgeoned over the head, resulting in catastrophic injury but not instant death in many cases.
And other animals were kicked and cut with knives, or even skinned alive.
Shadow Environment Secretary Luke Pollard joined our campaign, saying: “The animal suffering revealed in yesterday’s investigation is truly sickening. This outdated and unnecessary trade should have no place in the UK’S fashion industry.
“The last Labour government banned fur farming in the UK and Labour has pledged its support for a #Furfreebritain in order to send a message that we will not trade in such horrendous treatment of animals.
“We urge the Government to signal their commitment to a fur sales ban, starting with a public consultation.”
Watching the footage with his head in his hands, Ricky’s After Life co-star Peter Egan, 73, said it was some of the worst material he had ever seen.
Made in Chelsea star Lucy Watson was reduced to tears. She said: “If you buy into the fur industry, you’re basically paying for torture.”
Pete Wicks, of The Only Way Is Essex, who went undercover to expose cruelty for a Daily Mirror/humane Society investigation on Finnish fur farms last year, was so appalled by the suffering that he had to look away several times during filming. He added: “The fact that stuff like this still goes on is beyond me.”
TV host and wildlife campaigner Chris Packham also pledged his support. He said: “There is not a cell in my body that understands that lack of compassion for another living thing, that you could be so abjectly cruel and disrespectful to its life.”
Singer Paloma Faith, tennis ace Sir Andy Murray, Queen legend Brian May, chimp expert Dr Jane Goodall and singer Joss Stone also support the campaign. Singer Leona Lewis said: “I love all animals and believe they should be treated with kindness and respect. So I would never wear fur. That’s why I’m a proud supporter of the #Furfreebritain campaign for a UK fur sales ban.”
Nearly 750,000 people have so far signed a petition calling for a ban. The campaign also has support from 86 cross-party MPS including Tory Tracey Crouch, Labour’s Maria Eagle, the SNP’S Dr Lisa Cameron and former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who have added their names to an early day motion calling for a ban on the import and sale of fur products.
Clare Bass, boss of Humane Society International/uk, said: “The British public has long found fur cruel not cool – and this is clearly reflected in the latest polling showing that 72% support a fur sales ban.
“For the majority of people fur is something they might find in a box in granny’s attic but it has no place in contemporary wardrobes, and this
I hope we’ll be the first to ban fur sales. Fur farming is cruel and unnecessary
DAME JUDI DENCH BACKS THE MIRROR’S CAMPAIGN