Fur-ban consultation a threat to bearskin hats

Ministers to consult on possible legislation after pressure from Tory figures such as the PM’S fiancée

Bearskin hats worn by the Queen’s Guard are under threat after ministers bowed to animal rights campaigners on a proposed fur-sales ban. In a victory for anti-fur activists, George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, has confirmed the Government plans to launch a consultation next year into banning the sale of fur in post-brexit Britain. It follows pressure from Tory campaigners including Carrie Symonds, the Prime Minister’s fiancée.

BEARSKIN hats worn by the Queen’s Guard are under threat after ministers bowed to animal rights campaigners on a proposed fur sales ban.

In a victory for anti-fur activists, George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, has confirmed the Government plans to launch a consultation next year into banning the sale of fur in post-brexit Britain. It follows pressure from Tory figures including Carrie Symonds, the Prime Minister’s fiancée.

In a letter to Giles Roca, chief executive of the British Fur Trade Association, Mr Eustice said: “The Government has been clear that once the UK’S future trading relationship with the EU has been established, there will be an opportunity to consider further steps it could take in relation to fur sales.”

The correspondence, dated Sept 9 and seen by The Daily Telegraph, adds: “The Government will want to hear from all interested parties, including the fur sector, as it looks to develop proposals and form views on what the fur trade might look like after the transition period. In addition, the Government

will in all likelihood choose to consult on this matter.”

The move comes after Lord Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, was criticised for agreeing to speak at an event on Tuesday calling for a “fur-free Britain”.

The virtual rally was organised by the Humane Society International, which leaked emails last week revealing it held a “productive” meeting with Lord Goldsmith in May.

The former Tory MP for Richmond and Ms Symonds, inset, a close friend, are understood to have been lobbying Boris Johnson to introduce a ban on fur sales after Dec 31. Ms Symonds, pictured, who has demonstrated against whaling and the badger cull, tweeted last September that people who wore fur were “sick” and that clothes brands were “nuts” to sell it.

In the letter, Mr Eustice defended Lord Goldsmith’s meetings with HSI, saying he “reflected the Government position that we are considering the situation”. Fur farming was banned in 2003 but the UK still allows the product to be imported. France is one of the biggest suppliers, along with Denmark, Finland, the United States, Italy, Poland and Canada.

The BFTA claims a fur sales ban will affect seven British Army regiments, including the Coldstream Guards and the Welsh Guards, who wear bearskin hats made from the pelts of culled Canadian black bears. Between 50 and 100 of the 18-inch hats are bought by the military every year, costing roughly £650 each. Orthodox Jews who wear a fur hat called a shtreimel would also be affected, as well as popular high street brands that use fur as a by-product from animal conservation programmes. The ermine robes worn by the Queen and members of the House of Lords also face an uncertain future.

A spokesman for the BFTA accused the Government of “acting like a wardrobe police”, adding: “It shows that they have been captured by narrow interest animal rights activists that share more in common with the tactics of Extinction Rebellion than the third of British households who own a fur garment. A ban would have serious negative consequences, actually damaging animal welfare, and once they are done with fur they will just move on to wool, leather and silk. Fur is a natural sustainable material that comes from humane and highly regulated sources.”

Mr Eustice has promised to meet with the BFTA.