Programme ready for the largest lobby event in the fur industry's history

17/1/2026

PROGRAMME READY FOR THE LARGEST LOBBY EVENT IN
THE FUR INDUSTRY'S HISTORY

In the settings of Europe's democratic heart, the European Parliament in Brussels, the European fur industry hosts the largest lobby and information event in the industry's history. The programme contains a number of subjects including debates between the fur industry and animal rights organisations, and the presentation of WelFur, the comprehensive, science-based animal welfare assessment programme voluntarily developed by the European fur sector.

PROGRAMME:

Tuesday 21. January

9.00-12.30 The information stand is open. Come and meet the people behind the European fur industry.

12.30 Opening of the event by MEP Mr. Jens Rohde (Denmark), the Greek Presidency, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Konstantinos Chalastanis (Greece) and Chairman of the European Fur Information Center Mr. Kenneth Ingman (Finland).

12.45 WelFur - the European fur sector's animal welfare assessment programme, by Senior Scientist Steen Henrik Møller (Denmark), Aarhus University.

13.10 The European Commission's proposal for the Animal Welfare Framework Law, by Mr. Andrea Gavanelli (Italy), Head of the Animal Welfare Unit, DG SANCO.

13.30 Animal based welfare assessment - the principles of Welfare Quality, by Dr. Björn Forkman (Sweden), University of Copenhagen.

14.00 The Animal Welfare Framework Law - a European Parliament position, by MEP Mrs. Marit Paulsen (Sweden), ALDE, rapporteur on the report on the 'European Union Strategy for the Protection and Welfare on animals' 2012-2015.

14.30 Questions from the audience. MEP Mrs. Marit Paulsen and Bo Manderup, CEO of Fur Europe.

15.00-18.00 The information stand is open. Come and meet the people behind the European fur industry.

18.15 Debate: The European fur industry vs. GAIA: European fur farming - good animal welfare or cruelty? by Ann de Greef, Director, GAIA (Global Action in the Interest of Animals), Knud Vest, fur farmer, Denmark.

18.35 European and global perspectives on animal rights crime, by Steve Solley (UK), Risk Assessment Manager.

18.50 Debate: The European fur industry vs. Fur Free Alliance: Is civil disobedience acceptable in the name of animals? by Johan Dálen, Managing Director of the Swedish Fur Breeders' Association, and Ann de Greef, Director, GAIA, representing Fur Free Alliance.

20.30 Special Dinner Event (BY INVITATION ONLY).

Key note speech, the Greek Presidency, by Mr. Pantelis Gassios, Councelor of Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of Greece, Brussels

Animal Ethics in modern society, by Dr. Franck L.B. Meijboom (The Netherlands), PhD, Senior Lecturer & Research Co-ordinator at Ethics Institute, Utrecht University

Animal ethics in law making, by Mr. Wim Verhagen,Dutch Fur Breeders' Association.

Wednesday 22. January

9.00-13.00 The information stand is open. Come and meet the people behind the European fur industry.

13.00 How I experienced the Dutch fur ban, by Mr. Wim Verhagen (The Netherlands), Managing Director, Dutch Fur Breeders' Association.

13.25 Debate: The European Fur Industry vs. Bont Voor Dieren (Fur for Animals): Is fur ethical? by Bo Manderup, CEO, Fur Europe, and Nicole van Gemert, The Netherlands, Director, Bont Voor Dieren.

14.30-18.00 The information stand is open. Come and meet the people behind the European fur industry.

18.00 Network reception - open for all. Come and meet the people behind the fur industry under informal circumstances.

18.30 Welcome speech by Mr. Pertti Fallenius (Finland), CEO, Saga Furs.

Demonstration of fur craftsmanship and techniques by designer Christian Helmer in cooperation with Saga Furs Design Centre and Kopenhagen Studio.

20.30 Special Dinner Event (BY INVITATION ONLY).

The European Commission's roadmap for fashion and high-end industries, key note speech by Mr.Jean-François Aguinaga (France), Head of Unit, Textile-Fashion-Design-Creative Industries, DG Enterprise and Industry.

A fur roadmap to European excellence in innovation, fashion and skills, by Mr. Tage Pedersen (Denmark), Chairman, Kopenhagen Fur.

Thursday 23. January

9.00-15.00 The information stand is open. Come and meet the people behind the European fur industry.

15.00 The information stand closes.