In your view, is there an ethical difference between breeding animals for their fur and breeding animals for their meat?

No. The ethical discussion about fur does not apply to me.

Do you think that animal welfare regulations, at present, procure a sufficient level of protection of the farmed animals?

In general, yes, but animal welfare can always be improved in line with advancements in scientific research. Animal welfare is not a static process. No continent is more aware of animal welfare than the European Union. In the public's opinion as in our behavior we are ahead of the rest of the world.

Do you believe that fur farming represents an interesting option for economic development in rural areas?

Fur farming is an agricultural activity, and if the farmers comply with animal welfare regulations, it should be a rural activity just as any other rural activities.

Do you favor European or national regulation with regard to animal welfare?

Our economy takes place in a market with 500 million inhabitants. For competitive reasons I prefer European regulations.

Do you believe that there is a direct link between the selling price of an animal's skin and the welfare of the animal?

I do not think that is taken into consideration, but it would be good if it could be indicated.

What is the most important argument against the production of fur?

Contrary to food, fur is not a part of our daily diet. Fur is a luxury product, but we use animals for human purposes and there is nothing wrong with that. There is a freedom of choice and I respect people who think fur is unnecessary. They have the right not to buy it.

What is the most important argument in favour of fur production?

There is a demand for fur. People like it for whatever reasons unknown to me. If we do not produce fur in Europe, it will be produced somewhere else.

Jan Mulder is a Dutch national and Member of the European Parliament since 1994. He is a member of the Dutch party Volkswpartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, and belongs to the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament.

Educated an Agricultural Engineer in 1970, Jan Mulder has worked as FAO expert in Kenya. His career also includes positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands as well as the European Commission in Brussels.