In a recent undercover investigation conducted by the Finnish group Oikeutta Eläimille, images emerged revealing the disturbing conditions of animals at three fur farms in western Finland. The footage captured a distressed red fox scratching at its cage, an Arctic fox with a bloody tail, and other animals appearing forlorn and gazing sadly into the camera. The activists aim to shed light on the treatment of these animals within the fur trade, coinciding with crucial discussions within the European Union regarding the future of fur farming.
The EU is set to receive recommendations in March from an animal welfare agency on whether it should consider a ban on fur farming by 2026. The fur farmers’ association, FIFUR, pushed back against the activists’ revelations, asserting that the clandestine filming violated strict biosecurity protocols on farms regulated by national laws, which include regular veterinarian oversight.
While the images depicted animals confined to small cages—sometimes with multiple occupants—many viewers might question the severity of the conditions since the industry, at present, adheres to legal and regulatory standards. One notable image showed an Arctic fox with visible injuries, but FIFUR representatives insisted that the footage misrepresented the welfare standards at these farms.
According to FIFUR spokesman Olli-Pekka Nissinen, the fur industry maintains high welfare standards and provides little incentive for mistreatment, as the condition of the animals directly impacts their fur quality and, ultimately, farmers’ profits. He noted that of the 442 member farms, the majority are family-operated businesses located primarily in the Ostrobothnia region of Finland. Finland holds the position of largest global producer of certified fox pelts, according to FIFUR.
Kristo Muurimaa from Oikeutta Eläimille clarified that the purpose of their investigation was to document the living conditions of the animals, emphasizing compliance with Finnish law in obtaining the photographs. Currently, neither party has indicated plans to pursue legal action against one another.
Muurimaa further argued that while people have utilized fur since ancient times, the modern practice of confining animals in small, barren cages is a more recent development, rooted in viewing animals merely as commodities. He stressed that such treatment is outdated and should not be condoned in present times, accusing the use of fur by the wealthy elite in countries like China and Russia of perpetuating cruelty.
According to the most recent data from the European Union, approximately 1,000 fur farms are operational across the continent, housing around 7.7 million animals, including mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs. Switzerland, an EU non-member, has also initiated discussions to potentially ban the import and sale of furs derived from animal mistreatment following a recent public consultation.
Activists in Switzerland are advocating for an expanded definition of “mistreatment” to encompass a broader range of fur farms. As of now, the matter is not prioritized on the political agenda but may be subject to a public referendum by late 2026.
Humane Society International reported that millions of animals endure suffering and death each year in the global fur trade, with a significant number kept in inadequate battery cages. They pointed out that Finland remains one of the few European nations where fur farming is legal, calling attention to various retail brands that source fox fur from the country.
FIFUR revealed that China remains the largest export market for fur, with South Korea and Western Europe/North America following closely behind. In a 2023 report, it was noted that Poland and Greece lead in mink production in Europe, with Finland ranking third.
Challenges such as bird flu and coronavirus outbreaks significantly impacted the fur industry since 2020, especially in Denmark. The overall trend in production has been on a decline for several years, with FIFUR reporting a dramatic decrease in mink pelt supply (dropping approximately 75% since 2010), ultimately totaling just over 12,000 pelt sales last year.