The ban on such a large producer is another blow to the fur industry and a real reason for celebration. Just in 2024, 2.7 million minks and 30,000 foxes were killed in Poland. Animal cruelty in the name of fashion is simply unacceptable. Contrary to the messages conveyed by various fashion labels, most real fur products involve cruelty, and the needs of the animals cannot be met on fur farms," says Lauretta Eckhardt, Policy Manager at FOUR PAWS Switzerland. This position was also scientifically substantiated in 2025 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) within a 'Scientific Opinion'.
However, the downside is the transition period. Lauretta Eckhardt explains: "A deadline until 2034 is simply too long, especially considering how many animals will still have to suffer until then, and that this is an industry that has significantly lost revenue in recent years - especially since the COVID-19 pandemic." Polish fur farmers, however, will be offered compensation if they exit production earlier.
After Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Spain, and Finland are the largest producers in the EU. The pressure is also growing on them, not least due to the European Citizens' Initiative 'Fur Free Europe', supported by FOUR PAWS, during which over 1.7 million signatures were submitted to the EU Commission in 2023.
"Fur production has no future. We hope that the EU Commission will finally react and decide on an EU-wide ban on production and imports. The 1.7 million supporters of the European Citizens' Initiative should actually be a clear sign," Eckhardt adds.
The Consequences in Switzerland
An import ban on fur involving animal cruelty came into force in Switzerland at the ordinance level on 1st July 2025. In parallel, the Fur Initiative is underway with an associated indirect counter-proposal, which was already approved by the National Council in September and demands that the import and trade ban on fur products involving animal cruelty be anchored in the animal welfare law. FOUR PAWS supports this approach.
The requirements of Swiss animal welfare legislation are so strict for housing wild animals like minks and foxes that fur farms have not existed in Switzerland for a long time.
Media Contact:
Chantal Häberling
Communication Switzerland
FOUR PAWS - Foundation for Animal
Welfare
Altstetterstrasse 124
8048 Zurich
Tel. +41 43 311 80 90
presse@vier-
pfoten.ch
www.vier-pfoten.ch