Britain has no place in the abhorrent fur trade
Britain has a long history of leading the way on animal welfare. The RSPCA, born in a London coffee shop, is the oldest animal charity in the world.
A lot has changed in the 200 years since. By improving attitudes and raising standards, we have not only transformed our relationship with animals but fundamentally changed what it means to be British.
My constituents in Newport West and Islwyn care deeply about the way we treat animals, and so do I. Compassion for animals is a great British value. We led the way two decades ago when we banned fur farming and many of our European neighbours followed our example.
But the cruel and outdated fur trade persists – and Britain is still a part of it.
Every year, more than 20 million animals are farmed for their fur in countries like China and Poland. They live in tiny wire cages, suffering from poor hygiene and chronic stress. One could argue whether they are really living their lives at all.
So why, so long after we banned this abhorrent practice in the UK, do we still allow the import of the same cruel products from overseas?
I have yet to hear a good answer to this question. In fact, the most common reaction when people discover this outrageous double standard is a mixture of disgust and disbelief.
It is about time we closed this loophole and shut up shop on the fur trade, for good. That is why I have presented a bill to do just that and ban the import of fur products into Britain.
The bill would also look to ban the sale of fur products in England and I would invite the devolved parliaments, including my friends in the Senedd, to follow suit.
The horrors of the trade are there for all to see. Only recently, Humane Society International, who are supporting my bill, revealed footage from a fur farm in Finland. It showed foxes with raw and open wounds, deformed feet, and infected eyes.
The investigation also revealed obese ‘monster foxes’ – the result of selective breeding to increase yield. There is nothing natural or humane about it.
I still remember the first time I saw pictures from a fur farm and they still upset me just as much today. Animal suffering is an emotive issue, and as the nation of animal lovers we are, I refuse to believe we want to be a part of this cruel and unnecessary trade.
But fur is not only an emotive issue. If a cold-hearted computer could make the choice, it too would want us to shut up shop because of the very real risks to public health.
Conditions on these fur farms are appalling for animals, but perfect for viruses like Covid-19 to thrive.
Virologists are warning us now. Are we really comfortable risking the next pandemic for a frivolous fashion item? No fur coat can be worth that risk.
Accepting our complicity in the fur trade, even after we banned fur farming here, is uncomfortable, but a vital step to taking the necessary action. We must now channel that despair into change.
I often say we need to speak up for animals because they can’t speak up for themselves. Indeed, as Members of Parliament, it is our duty to give a voice to the voiceless and fight for animals across the world who cannot fight for themselves.
More than 50 MPs attended our Fur Free Britain reception in Parliament this November. It is brilliant to see a broad coalition coming together and putting party politics aside to support our cause.
As Sir Roger Gale MP reminded us: animals do not see party colours. But they do know kindness and compassion. Ultimately, we must exercise these great British values and practise what we preach for animals across the world.
I would invite everyone reading this to write to their MP. Tell them what you think about the fur trade. Is it the kind of business we want to be involved in? Does it make you proud to be British? Is this the best version of Britain we can be?
I think we can do better. We cannot afford to wait.
Ruth Jones MP is the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, and has been an MP continually since 4 April 2019.
