This is the first ever report from inside China’s fur farms. It is based on field and desk research carried out in 2004 and January 2005. Several farms in Hebei Province were visited as part of this field research. Numbers of animals held at these facilities ranged from 50 to 6000.

The report provides background information on the Chinese fur industry and describes and documents husbandry and slaughter practices. It goes on to place China’s role as the world’s largest exporter of fur garments into a global context, which involves direct links to the EU and the UK. It ends in a set of urgent recommendations for national and international policy makers, as well as members of the British and European public.

For at least ten years, the international fur industry has waged a coordinated, well funded and slick global PR campaign aimed at dispelling the moral stigma attached to wearing fur. Mixing fur with silk, wool, suede and leather, employing new manufacturing processes such as shearing and knitting, as well as new fashionable colours, have added novelty and versatility to fur.

Steadily increasing marketing of fur accessories and clothing and footwear with fur trim (e.g. as collars, scarves or on hoods) has almost imperceptibly brought fur back onto the streets. Targeting a younger and fashion conscious market, fur is now included in anything from evening wear to sports wear and haute couture to ready-to-wear mass produced affordable garments.

Although fur farming has been banned in the UK, London is the world centre for fur buyers. The 45 members of the British Fur Trade Association or BFTA, itself part of the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), represents retailers, traders, wholesalers and manufacturers. Collectively BFTA members buy the majority of the world’s fur at primary level, which is to say as pelts. In doing so, they turn over some ￡500 million a year.

Eighty five percent of the world’s fur originates from farms. China, also a member of the IFTF, is the world’s largest exporter of fur clothing and according to industry sources, the biggest fur trade production and processing base in the world. Between 25% and 30% of the country’s fur is obtained from wild animals, while 70-75% originate from captive animals. China is also one of the few countries in the world without any legal provisions for animal welfare.

Most Chinese fur farms were established during the past ten years. Wild species bred for fur include red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dogs, mink, and Rex rabbits. According to Chinese fur industry sources, a growing number of international fur traders, processors and fashion designers have gradually shifted their business to China, where cheap labour and the absence of restrictive regulations make life easier and profit margins broader.

The international fur sector is complex, with pelts produced by farmers passing through several countries and undergoing various processes before it reaches the final consumer.

Chinese Customs statistics indicate a net volume of fur imports and exports for 2003 of US$997.6 million, up 42.5% from 2002. More than 95% of fur clothing produced in China is sold to overseas markets, with 80% of fur exports from Hong Kong destined for Europe, the USA and Japan. The country’s expanding product range includes pelts, full coats, fur accessories, such as scarves and hats etc., toys, garment trimmings and even furniture. A random market survey in boutiques and department stores in Switzerland and London discovered fur garments labelled “Made in China” among top fashion brands.

In the UK, fur farming has been banned on humanitarian grounds. In all farms visited in China, animals were handled roughly and were confined to rows of inappropriate, small wire cages, which fall way short of EU regulations. Signs of extreme anxiety and pathological behaviours were prominent throughout. Other indicators of poor welfare include high cub mortality, self-mutilation and infanticide.

Between November and December, foxes are sold, slaughtered, skinned and their fur is processed. Animals are often slaughtered adjacent to wholesale markets, where farmers bring their animals for trade and large companies come to buy stocks.

To get there, animals are often transported over large distances and under horrendous conditions before being slaughtered. They are stunned with repeated blows to the head or swung against the ground. Skinning begins with a knife at the rear of the belly whilst the animal is lying on its back or hung up-side-down by its hind legs from a hook.

A significant number of animals remain fully conscious during this process. Helpless, they struggle and try to defend themselves to the very end. Even after their skin has been stripped off, breathing, heart beat, directional body and eyelid movements were evident for 5 to 10 minutes.

This report shows that China’s colossal fur industry routinely subjects animals to housing, husbandry, transport and slaughter practices that are unacceptable from a veterinary, animal welfare and moral point of view. Housing, husbandry, transport and slaughter conditions fall drastically short of EU, UK and Swiss legislation. (Executive Summary)

We therefore urgently appeal to:

• Fashion designers to shun the use of fur in their collections and use non-violent materials instead
• Shoppers not to buy fur garments or accessories or clothes with fur trimmings
• Shoppers to check whether designers incorporate fur in their collections
• Fashion retailers not to stock garments or accessories or clothes with fur trimmings
• EU member states and the European Parliament to ban the import of fur from China and of garments that contain such fur
• Chinese government to urgently introduce and enforce legislation prohibiting the skinning of live animals
• Chinese government to urgently introduce and enforce legislation prohibiting inhumane treatment and slaughter methods
• Chinese government to introduce and enforce legislation prohibiting the inhumane confinement of animals

Download Fun Fur? A report on the Chinese fur industry

PDF Format, 1.7MB, 14Pages.

WARNING: This report contains images that some people may find distressing

CONTENTS

Executive summary
1. Introduction
2. Fur Farming in China
3. Major Farming Areas
4. Scale of Farming Operations
5. Products and Prices
6. Export
7. On the Farm
8. Slaughter
9. Fur Processing
10. Welfare

• What is Animal Welfare?
• Health and Welfare in Chinese Fur Farms
• Behavioural Problems and Captivity
• Fur Quality
• Cub Mortality
• Artificial Insemination
• Transport
• Slaughter

11. Conclusion

Visit Care for the Wild International (CWI) Website

Care for the Wild International (CWI) is an animal welfare and conservation charity that funds practical projects around the world. We make areas safe from poachers, rehabilitate sick or injured animals and provide sanctuary for those who can not return to the wild. We also act as a global voice for wildlife through research, education and advocacy and expose animal cruelty and wildlife crime.

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