Czech Republic to Ban Fur Farms

Earlier this month, the Czech Chamber of Deputies voted to pass a ban on fur farming in the Czech Republic. The legislation was proposed by the Chamber Environment Committee chair Robin Böhnisch and gained 132 votes of approval—with only nine votes against it and 20 absentees. “This is a victory which proves that killing animals for fashion’s sake is no longer supported among the Czech politicians,” Böhnisch said. “I am happy to see this barbarian practice end in the Czech Republic, and I hope that our legislators will set an example for their colleagues in other countries where fur farming bans are currently being discussed.” The ban will go into effect after passing through the country’s Senate and will require fur farmers to close down farms—of which there are currently nine holding 20,000 foxes and minks captive in small battery cages—by January 31, 2019. Once the law goes into effect, the Czech Republic will join 12 European countries in banning cruel fur farms—including Croatia, Japan, and the Netherlands—and similar legislation is expected to pass in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Lithuania next year.