In June 2025, a renewed parliamentary effort to ban the import and sale of animal fur in the UK gained momentum, with over 100 cross-party MPs and peers backing the initiative. The campaign, led by Labour MP Ruth Jones, aims to end the UK’s involvement in the global fur trade, which continues despite a domestic ban on fur farming since 2003.
The proposed legislation seeks to extend existing bans on fur from cats, dogs, and seals to include other animals such as foxes, mink, and raccoon dogs. Supporters argue that if fur farming is deemed too cruel to practice domestically, it should also be considered unacceptable to import and sell. The Humane Society International/UK (HSI/UK), a key proponent of the Fur Free Britain campaign, estimates that approximately 7 million animals were killed for fur imported into the UK between 2019 and 2023.
Public support for the ban is robust, with over 1.5 million petition signatures collected and polling indicating that 72% of the British public favor such a measure. Additionally, more than 40 MPs and peers have urged the government to act, citing public health concerns associated with fur farming. Notably, outbreaks of COVID-19 and avian influenza on fur farms in Europe and North America have raised alarms among scientists and public health officials. A 2023 study published in Nature identified 39 viruses on Chinese fur farms that pose a high risk of spreading to humans. Imperial College London virologists have also called for the elimination of mink farming to prevent future pandemics.
Despite these concerns, the UK government has yet to release the results of a 2021 consultation on the fur trade, leaving the proposed ban in legislative limbo. Campaigners and MPs continue to pressure the government to prioritize animal welfare and public health by enacting the ban. The debate over fur imports highlights broader ethical considerations regarding animal rights and the UK’s role in global trade practices.
As the second reading of the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill approaches, all eyes are on Parliament to see if the UK will take a definitive step toward a fur-free future.
