Over the past few years, we have rallied in support of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) #FurFreeEU petition, advocating for the cessation of fur farms and the sale of fur products within the European Union. 

Fur Free EU gathered an impressive 1.5 million signatures, including 21,566 from Greece, all united in calling for a Fur Free Europe. 

Last month, the European Commission (EC) has issued its response. 

Regrettably, the European Commission failed to make a decisive decision, choosing instead to await a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 

 The response discusses the potential prohibition of fur farming and the introduction of measures regarding farmed fur products in the European market, or alternatively, other actions, following the evaluation of the EFSA opinion, expected by March 2025. 

 Despite the wealth of existing scientific evidence concluding that the housing system in fur farms cannot, under any circumstances, meet the needs of species raised and harvested for fur, we welcome the consideration of a ban. 

 “It is disheartening that the European Commission did not make a conclusive decision today, leaving millions of animals to suffer while this distressing practice remains. The welfare of animals on fur farms cannot be adequately improved, and the only viable option is a complete ban, as advocated by over 1.5 million citizens and echoed in the decisions of numerous animal welfare organisations.” said Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly, Chief Executive at Animal Action Greece. 

 Joseph added “We trust that the EFSA opinion and the entire evaluation process will reflect this sentiment, and we anticipate a prompt and unequivocal prohibition in the near future.”