Guardsmen tempted by free fake fur to replace bearskins
FAKE fur for bearskin caps has been offered to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for free for 10 years in an attempt to force the military to switch from using real fur.
Peta, the animal rights group, has teamed up with a faux furrier to produce the ceremonial headdress for the Queen’s Guards.
In March, Guardsmen splashed out tens of thousands of pounds on new, real-bearskin caps, ahead of ministers launching a consultation on prohibiting sale of fur in post-brexit Britain.
The cap can only be worn by foot soldiers in the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and the Welsh Guards.
After teaming up with a company called Ecopel, Peta has unveiled the world’s first faux bear fur that it claims is “indistinguishable” from the real pelts used for caps, which cost roughly £650 each.
According to Peta, the faux fur not only matches the exact length of real fur but was confirmed to be “100 per cent waterproof ” in tests conducted at the Mod’s accredited laboratory. Ecopel has offered to provide the MOD with faux bear fur free of charge until 2030.
Ingrid Newkirk, founder of Peta, said: “The humane, high-performing faux fur created by Ecopel gives a nod to tradition while preventing sensitive bears from being viciously slaughtered for their fur. Peta looks forward to seeing this 21st-century cap – which reflects the fur-free values of Her Majesty and animal-loving Brits – quick-marched into service.”
Guardsmen’s bearskins have long been a target for animal rights campaigners. The MOD had previously trialled fake fur caps in 2014, but faced complaints that the headgear became “waterlogged”.