In a historic vote, Italy banned fur farming, effectively closing all remaining mink farms in the country within the next six months.

Following discussions with animal rights organization Humane Society International/Europe (HSI)., the Italian Senate's Budget Committee agreed today to accept a modified version of an amendment to the budget law to execute the move

In its recent report "Mink breeding in Italy: Mapping and Future Perspectives," HSI outlined realistic, strategic strategies for closing and converting fur farms into alternative, humane, and sustainable companies.

The resolution, expected to be adopted by Parliament before the end of the year, will make Italy the 16th European country to prohibit fur farming. Many of the country's most well-known fashion labels, including Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Prada, and Versace, have stopped using actual fur in their designs.

Martina Pluda, director of Humane Society International in Italy, said that this is a historic victory for animal protection in Italy, and HSI/Europe is extremely proud that their fur farm conversion plan has played a vital role in dismantling this cruel and deadly industry in their country. Fur farms should be closed and banned for a variety of reasons, including economic, environmental, public health, and, of course, animal welfare.

Pluda added that today's vote acknowledges that enabling mass breeding of wild animals for frivolous fur fashion poses a risk to both animals and people that cannot be justified by the modest economic benefits it provides to a small percentage of persons involved in this inhumane industry. The conversion of fur farms offers people a sustainable future that the fur trade just cannot supply. With so many designers, retailers, and customers going fur-free, the conversion of fur farms offers people a sustainable future that the fur trade simply cannot provide.

The amendment passed includes an immediate ban on the breeding of fur-bearing animals such as mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, and chinchillas, as well as the closure of all active fur farms in Italy by 30 June 2022, as well as compensation for farmers, which will be covered by a €3 million fund from the Ministry of Agriculture in 2022.

Fur farming was outlawed in the UK in 2002, and HSI is working with other groups to have the selling of fur outlawed completely. The selling of fur from endangered animals, as well as domestic dog, cat, and seal fur, is already prohibited.

Due to COVID-19 occurrences, pressure on other countries to ban fur has grown during the epidemic. COVID-19 infestations have been verified on 465 mink farms in 12 countries, including Italy, as of December 2021. (ten in Europe plus the United States and Canada). The European Food Standards Agency announced in February 2021 that all mink farms should be considered at risk of COVID-19 outbreaks.