Council won’t call for a fur farm ban
A MOTION BY CLLR GINO O’BOYLE WAS DEFEATED BY FIANNA FÁIL MAJORITY
PEOPLE Before Profit Alliance Councillor Gino O’Boyle has failed to get the backing of the Council for a call for a ban on controversial fur farms.
Cllr O’Boyle’s motion called on the Council to urge Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to ban fur farms.
He told the meeting that the stress of confinement in tiny cages resulted in cannibalism. He said the minks were gassed to death before being skinned.
“It’s time to put an end to this cruelty,” he told members.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Jerry Lundy said he didn’t think the Council should be calling for a ban on any farm and said citizens should have the right to buy fur if they wanted.
He described Cllr O’Boyle’s motion as an “attack on the farming community” and said fur farms were “highly regulated.”
Cllr Lundy said fur farms were increasing across Europe and said many small farms were diversifying into fur farming which created local jobs.
“Once you start banning any type of farming where will it end? Chickens or beef ?” he said. Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus Kilgannon said he supported Cllr Lundy.
Sinn Féin Cllr Chris MacManus said: “With all due respect to Cllr Lundy we need to differentiate between a small number of farms that provide luxury products and food producers.”
“People should be ashamed to wear fur,” he added.
Independent Cllr Declan Bree said it was “absolutely ridiculous” to even suggest Cllr O’Boyle’s motion was an attack on rural Ireland.
“The vast majority of people find it abhorrent to torture dumb animals for a luxury product,” he said.
Cllr O’Boyle said fur farms were closing down across Europe, “not expanding.”
Cllr Lundy replied that it was a question of “people having a choice.”
“Why should we block somebody from wearing fur, leather or eating meat?” he said, calling for a roll call of votes.
The chamber was split evenly, with Cllrs Bree, Casserly, Keaney, MacManus and O’Boyle voting in favour of calling for a ban on fur farms.
Councillors Baker, Kilgannon, Lundy, MacSharry and Queenan voted against the motion.
Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil Councillor Martin Baker had the casting vote and voted against. Cllr O’Boyle said it was “disgraceful” and he was “not surprised.”