Poland Fur Farming Ban

In a historic victory for animal welfare, Poland’s parliament has voted to ban fur farming, a move that will phase out the country’s massive fur industry and spare an estimated 3 million animals from slaughter each year. The decision places Poland—until now the largest fur farming nation in Europe—at the forefront of a growing international movement to end the controversial practice. Globally, only China raises and kills more animals such as mink and fox for fur, but in Poland, that is set to end.

The new legislation, an amendment to Poland’s Animal Protection Act, was approved with an overwhelming cross-party majority in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament. The bill prohibits the breeding and killing of animals solely for their fur and is expected to shut down hundreds of mink, fox, and raccoon dog farms across the country. After clearing the Senate and receiving presidential approval, Poland will become one of the world's largest economies to outlaw fur farming.

Poland's Pivotal Role in the Fur Industry

For decades, Poland has been a powerhouse in the global fur trade, particularly in the Wielkopolska and West Pomerania provinces. At its peak, the country hosted over 500 fur farms producing more than 5 million pelts annually, making it the world’s third-largest fur producer after China and Denmark. After other European nations like the Netherlands and Denmark shut down their industries, Poland became the largest producer in Europe.

This prominence, however, came with intense public scrutiny. Animal welfare organizations have long documented the severe suffering inherent in the industry. Investigations by local groups like Otwarte Klatki (Open Cages Poland) and the international Fur Free Alliance exposed grim conditions: animals confined to crowded wire cages, suffering from untreated wounds, and exhibiting signs of extreme psychological distress.

Caged minks on a Polish fur farm in 2019. Such images, captured during investigations, helped galvanize public support for a ban. Photo: Andrew Skowron/Otwarte Klatki/We Animals Media.

The Legislative Journey: A Winding Road to a Ban

The path to a ban has been long and fraught with political challenges. A major push began in 2020 when the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, led by animal lover Jarosław Kaczyński, championed a broad animal welfare bill known as the "Five for Animals." The bill, which included the fur ban, passed the Sejm with a large majority of 356 votes to 75 in September 2020 [1]. At the time, polls showed over 70% of Poles supported a ban.

However, the 2020 bill sparked a political crisis. Fierce opposition from the powerful agricultural lobby and some conservative politicians, who warned of economic ruin for rural communities, caused a rift in the governing coalition [2]. The legislation ultimately stalled in the Senate and was shelved.

Despite the setback, activists continued their campaign. Otwarte Klatki released graphic undercover videos exposing the cruelty on fur farms, which were widely shared and kept the issue in the public eye.

Adding to the pressure were external factors, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. After a mutated strain of the coronavirus was discovered in mink, Denmark, then the world's top mink producer, culled its entire population of 17 million animals. The Netherlands also accelerated its planned ban, shutting down all mink farms by early 2021 [3]. These events highlighted the significant public health risks posed by intensive fur farming, strengthening the case for a ban in Poland.

A New Government and Renewed Momentum

Following Poland’s 2023 parliamentary elections, a new coalition government committed to advancing animal welfare reforms revived the fur ban. Learning from the 2020 attempt, lawmakers introduced a more focused bill, which successfully passed both the Sejm and the Senate.

Under the new law, the breeding of animals like mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs solely for fur will be phased out by 2025. The legislation includes a compensation scheme to support farmers and workers transitioning to alternative livelihoods.

Reactions to the Ban: A Nation Divided

The ban was celebrated by animal welfare advocates. Martyna Kozłowska, spokesperson for Otwarte Klatki, called it "a historic day for animal protection in Poland," while Humane Society International/Europe hailed the decision as a "massive blow to the global fur trade" [4].

Conversely, the fur industry has condemned the move. Szczepan Wójcik, a leading figure in the Polish Fur Breeders Association, argued the ban is driven by emotion and will destroy thousands of rural jobs, vowing to challenge the law. Opponents also claim that production will simply shift to countries with lower welfare standards, such as Russia or China.

Global Impact: A Domino Effect on the Fur Trade

Poland’s ban is a reflection of a powerful Europe-wide shift away from fur. Over a dozen European countries have already prohibited fur farming, including the United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy [5].

The momentum is building for a complete phase-out across the European Union. In 2023, the “Fur Free Europe” European Citizens’ Initiative gathered over 1.5 million verified signatures, prompting the European Commission to propose legislation for an EU-wide ban on both fur farming and the sale of farmed fur products [6].

This legislative sea change is mirrored in the fashion world, where major luxury brands—including Gucci, Prada, Versace, and Burberry—have adopted fur-free policies. As consumer attitudes turn against animal cruelty, the market for fur continues to shrink.

What the Ban Means for Animal Welfare

The ban will end the immense suffering of millions of animals. Species like mink are semi-aquatic predators with complex needs that cannot be met in small wire cages. A 2022 scientific report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that these conditions cause severe behavioral restrictions and welfare problems [7]. The ban also mitigates environmental risks, such as water pollution from farm waste and the threat posed by invasive American minks that escape from farms and harm local ecosystems.

By closing its farms, Poland joins a growing consensus that the cruelty of fur farming is ethically indefensible in the 21st century. As one lawmaker stated during the debate, "No animal should die for the sake of a coat or a hat." The coming years will be crucial for implementing this landmark decision and setting a powerful precedent for the rest of the world.

References & Further Reading

1. BBC News. (2020, September 18). Poland MPs back bill to ban fur farming. Link
2. Politico. (2020, September 18). Poland’s plan to ban fur farming faces pushback from coalition partners and farmers. Link
3. The Guardian. (2020, November 5). Denmark to cull up to 17m mink in bid to eradicate mutated coronavirus. Link
4. Humane Society International/Europe. Press Release: Poland bans fur farming in historic win for animals. Link
5. Humane Society International. Fur farming bans. Link
6. European Commission. (2023, December 14). Press Release: European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Fur Free Europe’: Commission commits to phase-out of fur farming in EU. Link
7. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2023). Welfare of animals kept for fur production. Link