(11/05/2000) New consumer research questions Government move to ban fur farming

British people overwhelmingly support the farming of animals for any purpose, provided there is good animal welfare, according to a new nationwide poll published today (Thursday, 11 May).

And 41% of the population support fur farming, are ambivalent about it or have not formed a view!

This result will come as a blow to the Government, which early next week (Monday, 15 May) puts forward its plan to ban fur farming on the grounds that the public is against it.

The researchers found that people were tolerant of others wearing fur — and most think it is environmentally sound to do so, along with other natural fibres such as wool, silk, and leather.

The survey by Taylor Nelson Sofres reveals that:

81% say it is acceptable to farm animals for any purpose, provided there is good animal welfare

41% support fur farming, are ambivalent about it or have not formed a view;

50% are tolerant of others wearing fur if they chose to do so; and

62% feel it is environmentally sound to use natural fibres such as wool, silk, fur and leather.

"Clearly, this new survey undermines the very basis of the Government’s case that the public supports outlawing of fur production, which is a legitimate part of British farming. There has been a great deal of misinformation and rhetoric about fur and its production from those who seek to put UK fur farmers out of business. But British people are clearly more open-minded than is this Government, which is supposed to represent the interests of all citizens not just those who provide £1 million donations to the Labour Party", says the British Fur Trade Association.

-ends-

Issued by the British Fur Trade Association.
Press contact: Andrea Martin
e-mail press@britishfur.co.uk

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Notes to editors:

The expected 2nd Reading of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill is on Monday, 15 May 2000.
International market research company, Taylor Nelson Sofres plc carried out the UK national opinion research which was commissioned by the British Fur Trade Association (the majority of the world's fur production is traded by BFTA London members). The research was carried out on 23 February - 27 February 2000 and the results are based on all 995 interviews with adults 16+.
The Political Animal Lobby — a sister organisation to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) donated more than £1million to the Labour Party in 1996.