Fur flies after minister agrees to address animal rights rally

THE Government has been accused of a lack of impartiality after Lord Goldsmith agreed to speak at an event calling for a “Fur Free Britain”.

The animal welfare minister’s decision to speak at a rally organised by the Humane Society International (HSI) on Sept 15 has prompted a formal complaint from the British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) over impartiality.

The HSI is campaigning for a ban on fur sales but the BFTA claims this will cost the economy £200million as well as affect military personnel who wear bearskin hats and orthodox Jews who wear a fur hat called a shtreimel.

Brands such as Canada Goose that use fur as a by-product from conservation programmes may also be affected.

Leaked Defra documents seen by The Daily Telegraph reveal Lord Goldsmith held a meeting with Claire Bass, HSI’S executive director, on May 12, at which he asked if there were any areas relating to the fur trade that the Government should research.

It follows reports that he and his friend Carrie Symonds, Boris Johnson’s fiancée, have been lobbying the Prime Minister to introduce a ban on fur sales after Brexit. Ms Symonds, who has demonstrated against whaling and the badger cull, tweeted last year that people who wear fur are “sick” and clothes brands are “nuts” to sell it.

In July last year, Lord Goldsmith said: “Brexit could give us the opportunity to close our borders to this grotesque and unnecessary trade.”

This contrasts with the Government’s neutral position that it will “review the position at the end of the transition period” on Dec 31. At that point the UK could unilaterally introduce a ban.

In a letter to Lord Goldsmith, dated May 29, Ms Bass expressed her “delight” that he planned to “say a few words” at the rally.

In a letter to George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, Giles Roca, chief executive of the BFTA, says it would be “highly inappropriate” for Lord Goldsmith to appear at the event, insisting: “It would be prejudicial to any subsequent action or decisions that your department may take on the matter.”

Responding to an earlier letter from Mr Roca, Marc Casale, Defra’s deputy director of animal welfare, said the Government would use Brexit to consider further steps “in relation to fur sales”. He added ministers wish “to listen to a possible case for change presented by HSI”.

He said Lord Goldsmith had stressed “the need for a sound evidence base” should legislation be brought forward.

‘Appearing at the rally would be prejudicial to any decisions your department may take on the matter’