TAKE ACTION: send five 1-Click emails & sign the petition — at the end of this post.
Finland’s fur farming & trade involve severe animal welfare violations, extreme genetic modification & outdated regulations.
Finland operates roughly 500 to 600 active fur farms that slaughter approximately 2 Mio animals every year, making it Europe’s largest producer of fox fur.
Extreme overbreeding: Arctic foxes that naturally weigh about 5 kg are selectively bred to reach 4 to 5 times their normal size to maximize pelt surface area.
Disfiguring obesity: These „monster“ or „baggy skin“ foxes develop massive folds of sagging fat and skin that impair their ability to move. Their tiny legs often slip through or get stuck in the wire-mesh floor & many suffer from chronic joint & leg deformities.
Blinded by fat: The excessive facial fat & rolls of skin cause severe, untreated eye infections and swell the foxes‘ eyes completely shut.
Tiny wire-mesh enclosures: Millions of foxes & minks are locked in small, barren, elevated wire-mesh cages for their entire lives.
Self-mutilation & cannibalism: Severe psychological distress causes animals to engage in stereotypies (repetitive neurotic behavior), self-mutilation & even cannibalism, where wounded or dead cage-mates are eaten while others are still alive.
Filthy conditions: Investigators frequently document dead animals left to rot in cages alongside stagnant, filthy drinking water.
Anal electrocution: Animals are typically killed using anal electrocution, a method where metal probes are forced into the animal’s rectum & mouth to deliver a fatal electric shock.
„High welfare“ certification fraud: Nearly 100% of Finnish fox fur farms are certified under the SAGA/WelFur scheme, which markets itself as a guarantee of „the highest level of animal welfare“. Undercover investigations by groups like Humane Society International/UK & Oikeutta eläimille (Justice for Animals) have repeatedly exposed that SAGA-certified farms harbor the exact same diseased, wounded, and obese animals.
The primary destinations for Finland’s fur exports are:
- China (including Hong Kong): China is by far the largest consumer of Finnish fur, consistently accounting for roughly 70% of all purchases. Furskins are heavily exported to manufacturing hubs in Asia (including Cambodia & Thailand) where they are processed into luxury goods.
- South Korea: A dominant buyer in the East Asian luxury sector, providing immense market support for Finnish pelts.
- Turkey: A major trading partner that imports raw Finnish furskins to fuel its large-scale leather & fur garment manufacturing industry.
- Greece: Primarily the town of Kastoria, which is historically renowned as a global hub for fur processing & tailoring. Greek manufacturers buy Finnish skins to craft high-end garments that are traditionally re-exported to wealthy buyers in Russia.
- The European Fashion Industry: Elite fashion houses across Western Europe—particularly in Italy, France, Germany & the UK—frequently import Finnish furs for luxury apparel, trim & accessories.
- North America: The US & Canada remain steady, secondary markets for Finnish mink & fox pelts.
Photographs & video investigation by Humane World for Animals: here
Press Release by Humane World for Animals: here
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Send 1-Click email to Jenni Pitko, MP (Chairperson of the Parliamentary Animal Protection Group) — Sign with your name & country
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Send 1-Click email to Hanna Holopainen, MP (Submitter of the Anti-Fur Legislative Motion) — Sign with your name & country
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Send 1-Click email to Mai Kivelä, MP (Animal Rights Champion) — Sign with your name & country
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Send 1-Click email to Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP (Honorary President, EP Intergroup on Animal Welfare) — Sign with your name & country
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Send 1-Click email to the European Commission to demand an EU-wide ban on fur farming.
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Sign Petition to ban the inhumane treatment of Arctic Foxes on Finnish fur farms.
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English translation of emails to 3 Finnish MPs & EU MEP:
For Jenni Pitko, MP — Chairperson of the Parliamentary Animal Protection Group
Subject: Supporting your leadership: A complete ban on fur farming in Finland
Dear Chairperson Pitko,
I am writing to you today to thank you for your ongoing commitment to animal welfare and to strongly urge your group to accelerate efforts toward a complete, permanent ban on fur farming in Finland.
Finland remains one of the last major stronghold nations for fur farming in Europe, an industry that is out of step with both modern ethical standards and critical public health requirements. As Chairperson of the Parliamentary Animal Protection Group, you are uniquely positioned to lead this transition.
From an animal welfare perspective, peer-reviewed scientific evidence continually demonstrates that the complex biological needs of wild animals—such as foxes, mink, and raccoon dogs—cannot ever be met in captivity. Keeping these wide-ranging, active predators confined to small, wire-mesh cages causes severe psychological distress and physical deformities that no incremental regulatory updates can fix.
Furthermore, from a public health perspective, fur farms pose an active, severe zoonotic threat. Widespread outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) across Finnish fur operations have required the mass culling of hundreds of thousands of animals. Crowded facilities packed with highly stressed, immunologically compromised animals act as ideal, dangerous mutation reservoirs for viral strains, risking a catastrophic zoonotic pandemic.
Over 1.5 million European citizens officially demanded an end to this practice through the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative. Incremental regulations, larger cage requirements, or industry-led safety updates are no longer acceptable solutions to an inherently flawed industry.
I urge you and the Parliamentary Animal Protection Group to:
- Accelerate national legislative proposals that outline a clear, legally binding phase-out and total ban of fur farming within Finland’s borders.
- Advocate for a just transition that allocates government resources to assist current fur farmers in transitioning to sustainable, ethical, and safe livelihoods.
Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your commitment to a safer, more compassionate future.
Sincerely,
Your name, country
For Hanna Holopainen, MP — Submitter of the Anti-Fur Legislative Motion
To: hanna.holopainen@eduskunta.fi
Subject: Thank you for your legislative motion to ban fur farming in Finland
Dear MP Holopainen,
I am writing to express my strong support for your legislative proposal calling on the Finnish government to end fur farming. I urge you to continue pushing this critical motion forward and gathering the cross-party support needed to make it law.
Finland remains one of the last major stronghold nations for fur farming in Europe, an industry that is out of step with both modern ethical standards and critical public health requirements. Your motion addresses an urgent moral and safety crisis.
From an animal welfare perspective, peer-reviewed scientific evidence continually demonstrates that the complex biological needs of wild animals—such as foxes, mink, and raccoon dogs—cannot ever be met in captivity. Keeping these wide-ranging, active predators confined to small, wire-mesh cages causes severe psychological distress and physical deformities that no incremental regulatory updates can fix.
Furthermore, from a public health perspective, fur farms pose an active, severe zoonotic threat. Widespread outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) across Finnish fur operations have required the mass culling of hundreds of thousands of animals. Crowded facilities packed with highly stressed, immunologically compromised animals act as ideal, dangerous mutation reservoirs for viral strains, risking a catastrophic zoonotic pandemic.
Over 1.5 million European citizens officially demanded an end to this practice through the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative. Incremental regulations, larger cage requirements, or industry-led safety updates are no longer acceptable solutions to an inherently flawed industry.
I thank you for your brave stance and urge you to:
- Continue rallying cross-party support for your legislative proposal to ensure a clear, legally binding phase-out and total ban of fur farming within Finland’s borders.
- Emphasize a just transition that allocates government resources to assist current fur farmers in transitioning to sustainable, ethical, and safe livelihoods.
Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your commitment to a safer, more compassionate future.
Sincerely,
Your name, country
For Mai Kivelä, MP — Animal Rights Champion
Subject: Advancing the fight: Achieving a total ban on fur farming in Finland
Dear MP Kivelä,
I am writing to you today to express my deep appreciation for your steadfast advocacy for animal rights within the Finnish Parliament, and to urge you to continue leading the charge toward a complete, permanent ban on fur farming.
Finland remains one of the last major stronghold nations for fur farming in Europe, an industry that is out of step with both modern ethical standards and critical public health requirements.
From an animal welfare perspective, peer-reviewed scientific evidence continually demonstrates that the complex biological needs of wild animals—such as foxes, mink, and raccoon dogs—cannot ever be met in captivity. Keeping these wide-ranging, active predators confined to small, wire-mesh cages causes severe psychological distress and physical deformities that no incremental regulatory updates can fix.
Furthermore, from a public health perspective, fur farms pose an active, severe zoonotic threat. Widespread outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) across Finnish fur operations have required the mass culling of hundreds of thousands of animals. Crowded facilities packed with highly stressed, immunologically compromised animals act as ideal, dangerous mutation reservoirs for viral strains, risking a catastrophic zoonotic pandemic.
Over 1.5 million European citizens officially demanded an end to this practice through the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative. Incremental regulations, larger cage requirements, or industry-led safety updates are no longer acceptable solutions to an inherently flawed industry.
I urge you to use your platform to:
- Push for definitive national legislative votes that outline a clear, legally binding phase-out and total ban of fur farming within Finland’s borders.
- Advocate for a just transition that allocates government resources to assist current fur farmers in transitioning to sustainable, ethical, and safe livelihoods.
Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your commitment to a safer, more compassionate future.
Sincerely,
Your name, country
For Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP — Honorary President, EP Intergroup on Animal Welfare
To: sirpa.pietikainen@europarl.europa.eu
Subject: Urgent action required: A comprehensive EU-wide ban on fur farming
Dear MEP Pietikäinen,
I am writing to you today to thank you for your long-standing leadership as the Honorary President of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, and to urge you to continue pushing for an absolute, comprehensive EU-wide ban on fur farming.
As a Finnish representative in the European Parliament, you hold a vital role in addressing this crisis. Finland remains one of the last major stronghold nations for fur farming in Europe, an industry that is out of step with both modern ethical standards and critical public health requirements.
From an animal welfare perspective, peer-reviewed scientific evidence continually demonstrates that the complex biological needs of wild animals—such as foxes, mink, and raccoon dogs—cannot ever be met in captivity. Keeping these wide-ranging, active predators confined to small, wire-mesh cages causes severe psychological distress and physical deformities that no incremental regulatory updates can fix.
Furthermore, from a public health perspective, fur farms pose an active, severe zoonotic threat. Widespread outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) across Finnish fur operations have required the mass culling of hundreds of thousands of animals. Crowded facilities packed with highly stressed, immunologically compromised animals act as ideal, dangerous mutation reservoirs for viral strains, risking a catastrophic zoonotic pandemic.
Over 1.5 million European citizens officially demanded an end to this practice through the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative. Incremental regulations, larger cage requirements, or industry-led safety updates are no longer acceptable solutions to an inherently flawed industry.
I urge you to take the following actions in Brussels:
- Back a comprehensive EU-wide ban on both fur production and the placement of farmed fur products on the European single market.
- Hold the European Commission accountable to ensure the demands of the Fur Free Europe initiative are met with binding legislative action.
- Advocate for a just transition that allocates EU and national resources to assist current fur farmers in transitioning to sustainable, ethical, and safe livelihoods.
Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your commitment to a safer, more compassionate future.
Sincerely,
Your name, country
