Fur Free Europe: Delayed EU Decision Raises Serious Concerns for Animal Welfare

The European Union is facing growing scrutiny over its delayed response to the European Citizens’ Initiative Fur Free Europe, which calls for a ban on fur farming and the placing of fur products on the EU market.

Supported by over 1.5 million validated signatures, the initiative represents one of the strongest expressions of public demand on animal welfare at EU level.

These long-anticipated measures were expected to reach a decisive stage by March 2026. However, to date, no concrete decision has been adopted.

The decision has now been postponed, with indications that a communication may be expected in April 2026. To date, no official proposal or clear direction has been presented.

Such delays are not merely procedural. They have direct consequences for millions of animals that continue to be kept and killed in fur farming systems across Europe.

At the same time, concerns have been raised regarding transparency and balance in the decision-making process, including calls for greater impartiality and accountability.

The Fur Free Europe reflects a clear and growing demand across Europe to end practices that cause significant animal suffering.

Fur farming involves the confinement of animals such as mink and foxes in small wire cages, severely restricting their ability to express natural behaviours and often leading to stress, injury, and disease. These conditions have been widely documented and criticised by scientists, civil society, and several Member States.

OIPA ETS has supported this initiative since its launch, alongside a broad coalition of animal protection organizations across Europe, reaffirming its longstanding position against the exploitation of animals for fur production.

The delay on fur cannot be seen in isolation. Similar concerns have emerged in relation to other key animal welfare commitments, including the long-promised phase-out of cages in farming systems under the European Citizens’ Initiative End the Cage Age.

Supported by over 1.4 million validated signatures, this initiative further demonstrates the scale of public demand for stronger animal welfare protections across the European Union.

Together, these initiatives represent nearly 3 million European citizens calling for more humane policies.

Despite previous commitments from the European Commission, the legislative proposal on cages has yet to be presented. Originally expected in earlier years, it remains absent to date.

OIPA calls on the European Commission and EU institutions to:

•Deliver without further delay a clear and transparent response to the Fur Free Europe initiative

•Take decisive steps towards banning fur farming across the EU

•Consider a prohibition on the placing of fur products on the EU market

•Ensure full transparency and accountability in the decision-making process

•Align animal welfare policies with scientific evidence and citizens’ expectations

At a time when public demand for higher animal welfare standards is stronger than ever, further delays risk sending a clear and concerning signal: that commitments made at EU level are not being translated into concrete action.