IS IT ETHICAL TO WEAR FUR?

To answer this question, we need to take a step back and ask what makes the use of any animal product ethical.

Research has shown that to be morally acceptable the following conditions must be met:

1. The existence of the species must not be threatened.
2. No unnecessary pain or cruelty should be inflicted.
3. The slaughtered animal must serve an important purpose.
4. The animal must be used completely or almost completely.
   
   

1. THE EXISTENCE OF THE SPECIES MUST NOT BE THREATENED.

This is an argument about "conservation" or "sustainable use."

About half of the fur produced in North America today comes from fur farms, so there is no threat of extinction.

Thanks to effective national and international regulations, furbearer species that were once depleted in many areas have now been restored. In fact, biologists believe that beavers in Canada are as numerous today as when Europeans first settled North America. Coyotes, foxes and raccoons are more abundant than ever. This is a true environmental success story.

Ultimately, the modern fur industry, well regulated as it is, meets our first ethical criterion: the furs we use are abundant and the survival of wild species is not threatened.

2. NO UNNECESSARY PAIN OR CRUELTY SHOULD BE INFLICTED ON THE ANIMAL.

This is the “animal welfare” argument. Most of us agree that humans have a right to use animals for food and other purposes, but only if we cause them as little suffering as possible. The modern fur industry takes this responsibility very seriously.

North America is leading the world in scientific research aimed at making trapping as humane as possible.

On fur farms, mink and foxes are provided with excellent nutrition and care; this is the only way to produce the high-quality fur needed to compete in international markets. In the United States, farms are certified by the Fur Commission USA, while in Canada, farmers must follow codes of practice developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council.

The North American fur industry then also meets our second ethical criterion: no unnecessary pain or cruelty should be inflicted on fur-bearing animals in North America.

3. IF ANIMALS ARE SLAUGHTERED, THEY MUST SERVE AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE.

For some, it is unethical to kill animals for their fur because “no one needs a fur coat these days.” But is fur really a “frivolous” luxury?

Of course, there are other materials that can protect us from the cold, but the best of them (down, leather, wool) also come from animals. And most synthetic fibers (including fake fur) are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, the extraction and processing of which pose serious environmental risks.

In many areas, wildlife populations are reduced each year to maintain healthy and stable populations, preserve habitat, and protect endangered species. If fur-bearing animals must be culled to control populations, surely it is more ethical to use these animals than to waste them?

No less importantly, fur garments are remarkably durable; they can be worn “second-hand,” can be refashioned according to fashion trends, and, ultimately, they biodegrade – all important environmental qualities.

The modern fur industry thus meets our third ethical criterion: animals serve important purposes.

4. IF ANIMALS ARE SLAUGHTERED, THERE SHOULD BE MINIMAL WASTE

Most North Americans eat meat and therefore generally consider it ethical to use leather, a "by-product" that would otherwise be wasted. The use of fur, however, can seem more problematic if, as is often assumed, the rest of the animal is not used.

Indeed, many wild fur-bearing animals (beaver, muskrat and other species) also provide food for natives and others, especially those in northern areas where cattle and other livestock cannot be easily raised. Fur-bearing animals that are not eaten by humans are returned to the bush where they are eaten by mice, birds and other animals. Nothing goes to waste.

Farmed foxes and mink are fed the remains of our own food supply: the parts of chickens, pigs, fish, and other animals that we don’t eat and would otherwise be thrown into landfills. In addition to fur, farmed mink provide oil for cosmetics and for preserving leather. Their manure, soiled straw bedding, and carcasses are composted to produce organic fertilizers to enrich the soil and produce more food, completing the agricultural nutrient cycle. Ultimately, the modern fur industry meets our fourth ethical criterion: there is minimal waste of the animals used.

The choice is yours!

In summary, the modern fur industry in North America meets all four criteria that determine the ethical use of animals... Of course, this does not mean that everyone is forced to wear fur. Each person must make that decision for themselves. Public opinion polls have confirmed that approximately 80% of North Americans agree that “wearing fur should be a matter of personal choice.”