APRIL 2014

Welcome to the new member's newsletter from the European Fur Information Center. The aim of this newsletter is to provide the European fur community with an understanding of the various political developments across Europe as well as keeping you updated on various fur industry projects.

New CEO of Fur Europe

FUR EUROPE. The board of the European Fur Information Center - commonly called Fur Europe - has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer to replace Mr. Bo Manderup-Jensen who has been acting CEO since September 2013.

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The fur industry steers clear of invasive alien species list

EU. The American mink and the finnraccoon are most unlikely to be listed on the European Commission’s open list of invasive alien species (IAS) of concern to biodiversity and ecosystems in Europe. This has otherwise been a real risk to the European fur industry since the European Commission in September 2013 presented a proposal to address invasive alien species and protect European diversity. Before the final adoption of the legislation in May, the negotiations clearly indicate that European fur farmers can breathe a sigh of relief.

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Irish fur farmers receive
long-term licenses

COUNTRIES. The three mink breeders in Ireland have received licenses to continue their businesses from the Irish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The licenses have been issued for one, three and five years respectively, but upon completion of the implementation of new mink farm regulations all the mink farmers can achieve five year licenses. Compared to earlier standards of license issuing this is a victory for the mink breeders in Ireland.

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Norwegian fur breeders present their case in front of key commission

COUNTRIES.In March, the Norwegian Fur Breeders´ Association presented their case in front of a professional Commission set up by the previous Norwegian red-green coalition government in October 2013. The purpose of the Commission is to analyse all aspects of the Norwegian fur farming sector and ultimately deliver a report with positions on two possible future alternatives: either sustainable development or the termination of fur farming in Norway.

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Citizen's Initiative to ban fur farming in Latvia is about to be processed

COUNTRIES. A Citizen's Initiative to ban fur farming in Latvia is on its way to be processed by the Commission of Ethics, Mandate and Applications in the Latvian Parliament. In the fall 2013, animal rights advocates succeeded in gathering 10,000 signatures from Latvian citizen's which qualifies for the Citizen's Initiative's proposal to be considered.

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Negotiations on EU consumer label are blocked

EU. The European Commission's Regulation on Consumer Product Safety will not come to a conclusion before the end of the Greek Presidency as supposed. The Greek Presidency failed to reach an agreement for a mandate to start the trialogue negotiations between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Member States on the product safety package. The package is blocked because the Member States cannot agree on a compromise on a 'Country of Origin' label.

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Analysis: Unpredictable new European Parliament calls for pro-activity

EU. This year the European citizens will once again decide on the composition of European Parliament (EP) for next five years. The elections will be held in 28 member states and will last from 22. to 25. May 2014. In accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, 751 members will be taking their seat in Brussels after the elections.

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The European Fur Information Center to be launched in Amsterdam

FUR EUROPE. By 15 April 2014, a new association – the European Fur Information Center or Fur Europe in short – will be born, following the endorsement by the Annual General Meeting of the European Fur Breeders' Association (EFBA) in Amsterdam.

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WelFur fox protocol to be printed this spring

FUR EUROPE. The scientific foundation for the European animal welfare assessment programme for foxes - the WelFur assessment protocol for fox - is due to go to print by the end of April. The welfare assessment protocol for mink were printed in September 2013, and with the fox protocols at place the road to the pan-European implementation of WelFur is open.

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