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FUN FUR?
A report on the Chinese fur industry
Hsieh-Yi, Yi-Chiao, Yu Fu, Mark Rissi and Dr Barbara Maas

 FUN FUR?
A report on the Chinese fur industry
CONTENTS
Executive summary

1

1. Introduction

2

2. Fur Farming in China

3

3. Major Farming Areas

3

4. Scale of Farming Operations

4

5. Products and Prices

4

6. Export

4

7. On the Farm

5

8. Slaughter

6

9. Fur Processing

6

10. Welfare

6

What is Animal Welfare?

7

Health and Welfare in Chinese Fur Farms

7

Behavioural Problems and Captivity

7

Fur Quality

8

Cub Mortality

9

Artificial Insemination

9

Transport

9

Slaughter

9

11. Conclusion

10

For further information contact:
Care for the Wild International z The Granary z Tickfold Farm
Kingsfold z West Sussex z RH12 3SE z United Kingdom
Telephone: 44 1306 627900 z Fax: 44 1306 627901
Email: info@careforthewild.com z Web: www.careforthewild.com

 Executive summary
This is the first ever report from inside China’s fur farms. It is based on field and desk research carried out in 2004 and January
2005. Several farms in Hebei Province were visited as part of this field research. Numbers of animals held at these facilities ranged
from 50 to 6000. The report provides background information on the Chinese fur industry and describes and documents husbandry
and slaughter practices. It goes on to place China’s role as the world’s largest exporter of fur garments into a global context, which
involves direct links to the EU and the UK. It ends in a set of urgent recommendations for national and international policy makers,
as well as members of the British and European public.
For at least ten years, the international fur industry has waged a coordinated, well funded and slick global PR campaign aimed
at dispelling the moral stigma attached to wearing fur. Mixing fur with silk, wool, suede and leather, employing new manufacturing
processes such as shearing and knitting, as well as new fashionable colours, have added novelty and versatility to fur. Steadily
increasing marketing of fur accessories and clothing and footwear with fur trim (e.g. as collars, scarves or on hoods) has almost
imperceptibly brought fur back onto the streets. Targeting a younger and fashion conscious market, fur is now included in anything
from evening wear to sports wear and haute couture to ready-to-wear mass produced affordable garments.
Worldwide fur sales totalled some US$11 billion in 2001/02. The European Union is the world’s biggest consumer of fur, with
EU sales having increased sharply since the mid-1990s. EU sales of full fur products and fur trim in 2002/2003 are estimated at
US$4.525 million.
Although fur farming has been banned in the UK, London is the world centre for fur buyers. The 45 members of the British
Fur Trade Association or BFTA, itself part of the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), represents retailers, traders,
wholesalers and manufacturers. Collectively BFTA members buy the majority of the world’s fur at primary level, which is to say
as pelts. In doing so, they turn over some £500 million a year.
Eighty five percent of the world’s fur originates from farms. China, also a member of the IFTF, is the world’s largest exporter
of fur clothing and according to industry sources, the biggest fur trade production and processing base in the world. Between 25%
and 30% of the country’s fur is obtained from wild animals, while 70-75% originate from captive animals. China is also one of the
few countries in the world without any legal provisions for animal welfare.
Most Chinese fur farms were established during the past ten years. Wild species bred for fur include red and Arctic foxes,
raccoon dogs, mink, and Rex rabbits. According to Chinese fur industry sources, a growing number of international fur traders,
processors and fashion designers have gradually shifted their business to China, where cheap labour and the absence of restrictive
regulations make life easier and profit margins broader.
The international fur sector is complex, with pelts produced by farmers passing through several countries and undergoing
various processes before it reaches the final consumer.
Chinese Customs statistics indicate a net volume of fur imports and exports for 2003 of US$997.6 million, up 42.5% from
2002. More than 95% of fur clothing produced in China is sold to overseas markets, with 80% of fur exports from Hong Kong
destined for Europe, the USA and Japan. The country’s expanding product range includes pelts, full coats, fur accessories, such
as scarves and hats etc., toys, garment trimmings and even furniture. A random market survey in boutiques and department
stores in Switzerland and London discovered fur garments labelled “Made in China” among top fashion brands.
In the UK, fur farming has been banned on humanitarian grounds. In all farms visited in China, animals were handled roughly
and were confined to rows of inappropriate, small wire cages, which fall way short of EU regulations. Signs of extreme anxiety
and pathological behaviours were prominent throughout. Other indicators of poor welfare include high cub mortality, self-mutilation
and infanticide.
Between November and December, foxes are sold, slaughtered, skinned and their fur is processed. Animals are often
slaughtered adjacent to wholesale markets, where farmers bring their animals for trade and large companies come to buy stocks.
To get there, animals are often transported over large distances and under horrendous conditions before being slaughtered. They
are stunned with repeated blows to the head or swung against the ground. Skinning begins with a knife at the rear of the belly
whilst the animal is lying on its back or hung up-side-down by its hind legs from a hook. A significant number of animals remain
fully conscious during this process. Helpless, they struggle and try to defend themselves to the very end. Even after their skin has
been stripped off, breathing, heart beat, directional body and eyelid movements were evident for 5 to 10 minutes.
This report shows that China’s colossal fur industry routinely subjects animals to housing, husbandry, transport and slaughter
practices that are unacceptable from a veterinary, animal welfare and moral point of view. Housing, husbandry, transport and
slaughter conditions fall drastically short of EU, UK and Swiss legislation.

We therefore urgently appeal to:
z
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Fashion designers to shun the use of fur in their collections and use non-violent materials instead
Shoppers not to buy fur garments or accessories or clothes with fur trimmings
Shoppers to check whether designers incorporate fur in their collections
Fashion retailers not to stock garments or accessories or clothes with fur trimmings
EU member states and the European Parliament to ban the import of fur from China and of garments that contain such fur
Chinese government to urgently introduce and enforce legislation prohibiting the skinning of live animals
Chinese government to urgently introduce and enforce legislation prohibiting inhumane treatment and slaughter methods
Chinese government to introduce and enforce legislation prohibiting the inhumane confinement of animals

A comprehensive selection of photographs and video footage is available from Care for the Wild International (© Swiss Animal
Protection/EAST International).

 © Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

1. Introduction
"Real Fur Is Fun Again", extols the headline of a recent article in
the magazine Newsweek.1 This is music to the ears of fur industry
representatives. For about a decade they have waged a coordinated,
well funded and slick global PR campaign aimed at dispelling
the moral stigma attached to wearing fur. Together with its
national members, the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF)
has been working overtime courting top designers, fashion houses
and women's magazines, tempting fashion students with fur
fashion design competitions and targeting a much broader
range of potential consumers with inventive spin about freedom
of choice and independent thinking. And it has paid off. Mixing
fur with silk, wool, suede and leather, new manufacturing
processes such as shearing and knitting, as well as fashionable
new colours, have added novelty and versatility to fur. Steadily
increasing marketing of fur accessories and clothing and
“Fur is back. For good.
footwear with fur trim (e.g. as collars, scarves or on hoods) has
almost imperceptibly brought fur back onto the streets. From
Previously a luxury, it’s
evening wear to sports wear and haute couture to ready-to-wear
everywhere this winter.”
mass produced affordable garments; fur has made a fashionable
come back. According to the Fur Commission USA, "once again
Elle France, 2 December 2002
for 2003/2004 retailers reported that the average age of the fur
buyer continues to decline with 55.3% of today's fur customers
under the age of 44."2 Those who still can't help wondering about the animals whose skin has become a trendy
wardrobe filler are offered assurances. "Farming and wearing fur harms nobody" says Richard D. North of the Institute
of Economic Affairs.3 Fur, we are to believe, is not only hip and luxurious, sexy and fun, it stems from well cared for,
purpose bred, happy animals who lead contented lives on fur "farms" and "ranches". When their time comes they are
humanely 'harvested' or “euthanased” to provide today's young, intelligent, professional woman, who knows what she
wants, with stylish "city chic".

2

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Worldwide fur sales totalled some US$11 billion in 2001/02.6
Perhaps surprisingly, the European Union is the world's biggest
consumer of fur, with EU sales increasing sharply since the mid1990s. Sales of full fur products and fur trim in 2002/2003 are
estimated at US$4.525 million.7 A staggering 35.5 million pelts
were produced in 2002.8 In the same year, 40,000 fur sector
enterprises were based in the EU.7
It may also come as a surprise that, while fur farming has been banned in the
UK, London is the world centre for fur buyers.9 Part of the IFTF, the 45 members
of the British Fur Trade Association, or BFTA, represent retailers, traders,
wholesalers and manufacturers. Collectively, BFTA members buy the majority of
the world's fur at primary level, which is to say as pelts. In doing so, they turn
over some £500 million a year.10 By the 1999/2000 season, UK sales of fur
including fur trims had increased tenfold compared to 1985.11 UK industry figures
report a 35% rise in sales of fur, fur trim and fur accessories from 2002 to 2003.12
Isabel Oakeshott, Political Correspondent for the Evening Standard, noted that
"More than £40 million of fur-related items poured into Britain last year - almost
double the amount of five years ago. Imports of clothes and fashion accessories
made with real fur have tripled from £4 million to about £12 million in the past
decade. As well as fur clothes, more than £6 million of raw fur and £22 million of
tanned or dressed fur, from 12 named species and 'other animals', was shipped
into Britain last year." 13
Eighty five percent of the world's fur originates from farms.14 China, also a member
of the IFTF, is the world's largest exporter of fur clothing and according to industry
sources, the biggest fur trade production and processing base in the world.8 It is

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Founded in 1949, the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF)
is today comprised of 35 member associations and organisations
from 29 countries. It claims to include practically every fur
producer and fur consuming country in the world.4 According to
information posted on the internet, the IFTF seeks to protect fur
trade interests, promote innovation, high standards and a positive
factual image of fur and the fur industry worldwide whilst, at the
same time, being "dedicated to the conservation and welfare of
all fur-bearing animals". 5

 also a country without any legal provisions for animal welfare and a correspondingly poor track record. So we set out
to examine the situation on the ground. What we found has shocked even the most seasoned campaigners. Our
investigators uncovered and documented unimaginable acts of systematic brutality and animal cruelty on a colossal
scale, which are the subject of this report.
This is the first ever report from inside China's fur farms. Based on field and desk research carried out in 2004 and
January 2005, it provides background information on the Chinese fur industry and describes and documents
husbandry and slaughter practices. The report goes on to place China's role as the world's largest exporter of fur
garments into a global context, which involves direct links to the EU and the UK. It ends in a set of urgent
recommendations for national and international policy makers, as well as members of the British and European public.
The report focuses on Hebei Province, one of China's major fur trade centres. However, the conditions encountered
there are representative of fur farming operations throughout China. A comprehensive selection of photographs and
video footage is available from Care for the Wild International (© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International).

2. Fur Farming in China
A Finnish fur industry report recently pointed out the difficulties of
obtaining accurate fur trade statistics for China.15 It concluded that,
whilst a detailed assessment of China’s fur industry is therefore
impossible, there is no doubt that China has become the biggest
fur trade production and processing base in the world.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Most Chinese fur farms were established during the past ten
years. Species bred for fur include red and Arctic foxes, raccoon
dogs, mink, and Rex rabbits. According to Chinese fur industry
sources, a growing number of international fur traders, processors
and fashion designers have gradually shifted their business to
China, where cheap labour and the absence of restrictive welfare
regulations make life easier and profit margins wider. According to
a Korean fox farmer, Canada tried to exploit cheap labour in China
and in the early 1990s exported 200 breeding foxes there.16
Chinese Fur Trade Association statistics state that between 25% and 30% of the country’s fur is obtained from wild
animals, while 70-75% originates from captive animals. Fur markets and trade centres continue to mushroom,
accompanied by an upsurge of companies dealing in all manner of fur, pelts, trimmings, garments and other relevant
products and services. One major wholesale and retail market was reportedly involved in trading more than 1,800,000
fur coats, 1,500,000 pieces of pelt and 2,000,000 trimmings in 2000 alone17 - the equivalent of nearly US$200,000,000
and only a fraction of the overall volume of fur traded in China.
Commercial fox farming in China began in 1860. As fur farming expanded into a major industry in the West, China
began to follow suit by the mid 1950s. From 1956, breeding foxes for fur became more widespread. At the time, some
200,000 foxes were added to the country’s fur farms each year. Collectively they churned out more than a million skins
a year. As China began to open up commercially between the 1980s and 90s, the country’s fur industry boomed. Next
to traditional state-run farms, private and family run farms started to spring up. During the 1990s, the sector attracted
foreign investments, which lead to the establishment of even more fur farms. To date, Chinese fur farmers hold more
than 1.5 million foxes and an estimated equal number of raccoon dogs.4

3. Major Farming Areas
According to Chinese industry sources, fur farms in Shandong
Province, situated in the country’s North-East, hold the highest
number of animals, including more than 500,000 foxes. Next
up is Heilongjiang Province, where over 300,000 foxes
are held for their fur. The number of foxes on farms in
Jilin Province too exceeds the 300,000 mark and
continues to rise.18

HEILONGJIANG

JILIN

LIAONING
BEIJING

HEBEI

While fur farms are also present in Hebei Province, this
part of China primarily acts as one of the country’s main
hubs for wholesale and retail markets. Some of the
animals bred in Shangdong Province are sold and transported to Hebei to be slaughtered and skinned. Liou Shih in
Li County and Shan Cuen in Su Lian County, both in Hebei
Province, are China’s biggest fur wholesale and retail markets.19 Liou
Shih market deals mainly in raw cow hides and sheep skins, commonly
known as “rough fur”, while the market in Shan Cuen specialises in mink, fox,
Rex rabbits and raccoon dog skins, collectively referred to as “fine fur”.

SHANDONG
HENAN

JIANGSU

HONG KONG

3

 4. Scale of Farming Operations

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Small fur farms are often run as family businesses.
Mid size farms retain between 10 and 15 workers,
while larger facilities employ from fifty to several
hundred workers. Farms and fur trade related
businesses in Shangdon and Heilongjiang Provinces
are the biggest and most efficient in China. With animal
numbers ranging from 1,000 to more than 10,000 per
farm, many have been the recipients of overseas
investments. One of the largest farms holds more
than 15,000 foxes and 6,000 mink.20 Operating as a
multi-functional enterprise, it incorporates artificial
insemination, breeding, slaughtering, pelt-processing,
tanning, and post-production facilities. It is also engaged
in export to other countries.
In Hebei Province, many fox farms have set up shop in the vicinity of cities and towns such as Tanshang City, Laoting
County, Li County and Bao Shu City. The majority of these farms are run by private individuals. Animals generally number
from under one hundred to several hundreds. The biggest farm in this province holds more than 20,000 animals.21
Smaller farms focus mainly on breeding and then sell their foxes to wholesale markets or slaughter houses. Skins are
then passed to the next tier of fur traders and processors for further treatment and post-production.
Several farms in Hebei Province were visited as part of the field research for this report. Numbers of animals held at
these facilities ranged from 50 to 6000. Some farms mainly keep foxes, but the majority also hold other species such
as mink, raccoon dogs, and Rex rabbits.
Fox species commonly kept include different colour morphs of Arctic (Alopex lagopus) (white and blue fox) and red
foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (red and silver fox). Fur farmers are said to mostly use artificial insemination to crossbreed blue
and silver foxes, as their natural mating periods do not coincide. Industry figures estimate that China produces over
1 million mink and fox skins each year – the equivalent of 11% of the world’s mink and 27% of the world’s fox
production7.
Many farms are facing inbreeding related problems, which lead to a gradual deterioration of fur quality. One farmer
claimed that, as a result, Chinese farmers import fresh blue fox breeding stock from Finland to improve the quality of
their pelts. According to a Finnish television report, Finland exported two million animals to fur farms in China in May
1998.16 Heilongjiang Province has also seen the establishment of a fox farm that specialises solely in breeding. One
farm owner stated that similar enterprises are soon to be initiated in Hebei as well. Other fur related business ventures
include selling Finnish blue fox sperm and instruction in artificial insemination techniques.

5. Products and Prices

Shop workers explained that price depends on the design and size
of a garment as well as the amount, species and quality of the fur
used. Almost all shops keepers maintained that their furs were
imported from the USA or Finland. This reflects the widely held
belief that domestically produced fur has yet to meet top quality
standards. Locally produced fur is therefore intentionally mislabelled
with foreign manufacturer’s marks to achieve higher prices.
Live foxes are sold for between US$50 - 75 per individual. However,
the price of live animals and pelts varies from year to year. Chinese
department stores typically sell a good fur coat for between
US$3,750 to US$5,000, while some top of the range coats retail for
as much as US$12,500. Prices at retail and market stalls are lower,
ranging from US$1,250 to US$2,500.

6. Export
4

The international fur sector is complex, with pelts produced by farmers passing through several countries and
undergoing various processes before reaching the final consumer.7 The IFTF recognises China as the world’s largest
exporter of fur. More than 95% of fur clothing produced in China is sold to overseas markets, including Europe, the

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

The Chinese fur industry’s expanding product range includes pelts,
full coats, accessories, such as scarves and hats etc., as well as
garment trimmings, combination garments, toys and even furniture.

 USA, Japan, Korea and Russia, with 80% of fur exports from Hong Kong destined for Europe, the USA and Japan.
Products include fur, fur garments and fabric or leather garments with fur trim. Chinese Customs statistics indicate a
net volume of fur imports and exports of US$997.6 million in 2003, up 42.5% from 200222. China has also become the
leading fur garment exporter to the USA, accounting for 40% of total US fur imports in 2004 – the equivalent of US$7.9
million.23 Exact export statistics, however, are difficult to obtain, as fur trimmings are not specifically declared to
customs. Furthermore, retailers can import stock which is then re-exported to another country.
Most retailers are unwilling to declare the true origin of their garments in an effort to avoid the image of cheap
production and inferior quality. Any fashion retailer can legally import textiles from China without having to declare their
origin. If it is mentioned at all, the final label may only read “Made in Italy” or “Made in France”, for example. Most retailers
do not even identify the type of fur used for trimmings. However a random market survey in boutiques and department
stores in Switzerland and London discovered fur garments labelled “Made in China” among top fashion brands.
Internationally, the overall economic importance of the classic furrier has become greatly diminished during the past
ten years. In many countries, their relative contribution to revenue generated from fur garment sales has become all
but irrelevant. In January 2005, the Sandy Parker report stated that “traditional furriers must recognise that a share of
at least their potential market has now been taken away by non-fur retailers. Thus, while their own sales may have
remained steady or increased marginally, furs sold by department and speciality stores, including boutiques, are up
substantially and may account for the bulk of the increases that were registered in the past two years. Similarly, any
decline in sales by fur stores and departments may not necessarily signify a general decline in demand for fur, but
possibly that fur customers are finding what they want elsewhere.” 24

7. On the Farm

On Chinese fur farms, foxes and raccoon dogs are confined in rows of
wire mesh cages (3.5 x 4cm mesh) measuring around 90(L) x 70(W) x
60(H) cm, although some are far smaller. The cages are raised off the
ground by 40–50cm, contain no furnishings, nest boxes, and in many
cases, no cover. Each cage houses one or two animals. Cages housing
breeding females link to brick enclosures intended to offer females a
degree of seclusion during birth and cub rearing to reduce cub mortality,
e.g. through infanticide or maternal neglect.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) weigh 5.2-5.9kg with a head-body length of
66–68cm. Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) have a head-body length of
53-55cm and an average body weight of 3.1-3.8kg. Raccoon dogs
(Nyctereutes procyonoides), an Asian fox-like canid, weigh between 2.5
and 6.25kg with an average body length of 56.7cm in Japan, and
51.5-70.5cm and 3.1-12.4kg for Finnish raccoon dogs.25

“Fur farming is well
regulated and operates
within the highest
standards of care.”

Mating takes place from January to April. The majority of farms use
artificial insemination, especially to cross-breed blue and silver foxes,
whose mating periods do not coincide. Foxes reach sexual maturity after
International Fur Trade Federation8
10-11 months. Breeding animals are used for five to seven years. Farm
owners state that vixens produce average litters of 10-15 cubs a year between May and June.i Cubs are born in spring
and weaned after three months. According to farm owners, average cub survival rate is 50% to weaning. This means
that farmers gain around five to seven cubs per litter. Cubs are usually slaughtered after a further six months, once
they have undergone their first winter moult. Farmers retain some animals as breeding stock, but most animals are
sold at the end of each year.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Pathological behaviours, which indicate significant welfare problems, such as
extreme stereotypic behaviourii, severe fearfulness, learned helplessness
(unresponsiveness and extreme inactivity) and self mutilation, were observed on all
farms. Farmers also reported breeding difficulties and infanticide, which have also
been associated with poor welfare in these and other species. Farmers handle foxes
by first removing them from their cage with iron tongs that clamp around the neck
and then grabbing them by the tail. Two types of tongs are used. Subsequent
handling usually involves holding the animals upside down by their hind legs.
The rearing season extends from June to December. Once animals are selected for
fur production as opposed to breeding, the quality of their fur is the farmers’ sole
concern. Before animals are ready for slaughter, farmers examine the maturity and
quality of their fur. Between November and December, foxes are sold, slaughtered,
skinned and their fur is processed.
....................................................................................................................................

It is assumed that this figure refers to average litter sizes across the two fox species, including crossbreeds,
as well as raccoon dogs.
ii
Stereotypies are repetitive, invariant behaviour patterns that serve no apparent function.46 These behaviours
are frequently seen in captive animals, particularly those housed in sterile, restrictive environments, and in
carnivores typically take the form of pacing back and forth.
i

5

 8. Slaughter
Animals are slaughtered adjacent to wholesale markets, where farmers bring their animals for sale and large
companies come to buy stock. To get there, animals are often transported over large distances and under terrible
conditions before being slaughtered.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Workers extract animals from their cages using a capture pole with a
noose at the end. Sometimes the animals are held suspended by their
necks for some time and carried around. Workers then grab the animal
by its hind legs and, using a metal or wooden stick, repeatedly strike the
fox, raccoon dog or mink on the head. Alternatively, they may swing it
head-first against the ground. These actions are intended to stun the
animal. The animals struggle or convulse and lie trembling or barely
moving on the ground. The worker then stands by to watch whether the
animal remains more or less immobile.

“Farming and wearing
fur harms nobody.”
Richard D North, Institute of
Economic Affairs, quoted by British
Fur Trade Association3

Many, whilst immobile, remain alive. Skinning begins with a knife at
the rear of the belly whilst the animal lies on its back or is hung upsidedown by its hind legs from a hook. In one case, this took place next to a
truck which collected the carcasses - for human consumption. Starting
from the hind legs, workers then wrench the animal’s skin from its
suspended body, until it comes off over the head. We were able to
observe and document that a significant number of animals remain fully
conscious during the skinning process and started to writhe and move
around. Workers used the handle of the knife to beat the animals’ head
repeatedly until they became motionless once again. Other workers
stepped on the animal’s head or neck to strangle it or hold it down.
Animals that had not been fully stunned or regained consciousness during
skinning struggled helplessly, trying to defend themselves to the very
end. Even after their skin has been stripped off, breathing, heartbeat,
directional body and eyelid movements were evident for up to 5 to 10
minutes.

9. Fur Processing

In 2002/03, 40% of fox pelts produced in Finland (845,325)
were exported to China and Hong Kong. Thirty-eight
percent of Finland’s mink production too was exported to
China – the equivalent of 1,633,682 pelts.26 The sheer
scale in numbers of animals killed in and around the major
fur processing centres poses a considerable environmental
burden. Enormous amounts of blood and offal accumulate
in these open-air slaughter facilities. The same applies to
tanneries, where dangerous chemicals, including chromium,
represent an additional health and environmental hazard.
According to Professor Cheng Fengxia of Shaanxi
University of Science and Technology, “Pollution caused
by inappropriate processing, especially colouring the fur,
has become a headache.”22 At markets in Haining in
Zhejiang Province for example, nearly 100,000 pelts are
traded each and every day. They are then treated, processed,
coloured, trimmed or woven to match the fashion tastes of
the day.

10. Welfare

6

The past two and a half decades have seen the emergence of a robust new scientific discipline: Animal Welfare
Science. Multidisciplinary by nature, it incorporates veterinary and behavioural science, physiology, wildlife biology,
immunology, neurobiology and endocrinology. These developments have not only sparked the advent of scientific
journals such as Animal Welfare and the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, but the creation of a growing
number of university departments and degree courses dedicated to this topic. The following section provides a brief
introduction to the rationale of this discipline and is intended to serve as a context for subsequent discussions.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

China is the world’s leading producer of fur garments. Added to its domestic production of fur, China imports five million
mink pelts and 1.5 million fox pelts each year.22 This amounts to 40% of the world’s fur auction house transactions.
Many of these pelts are dyed in China before being re-exported as fashionably coloured fur trimmings.

 Every living organism is affected by its environment. Individuals
must constantly adjust to favourable or unfavourable physical or
psychological conditions. Depending on the intensity and/or nature of
a stimulus, animals (and humans) will either adapt easily, with difficulty,
or not at all. In order to understand and assess environmental effects
on animals, we must examine “the state of an individual as regards its
attempts to cope with its environment, the extent to which coping
attempts are successful, and the effort invested in coping” – together
they describe an animal’s welfare.27 It is important to understand that
animal welfare, like health, is an innate quality of the individual, not an
externally attributed characteristic.28 Like health, which forms part of
welfare, welfare can be affected by genetic make-up, prior experience,
gender, age and environmental circumstances.27 In each individual
and at any given time, welfare, like health, ranges from good to poor
along a continuous scale. This scale includes an optimal and a tolerable
range, beyond which lies pathology.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

What is Animal Welfare?

“It is a fact that fur
farming and good welfare
go hand in hand.”

Some environmental stimuli are so intense, prolonged or frequent that
it is impossible for animals to adapt.29-33 Such conditions harm biological
British Fur Trade Association11
function and lead to physiological and/or behavioural pathology.34-36
Individuals experiencing such conditions are suffering from biological
stress and poor welfare.28, 31 In this state, a variety of interrelated physiological, metabolic, endocrinological,
neurological and behavioural processes, are affected, which in turn can impair immune function, reproduction,
growth and longevity.36-38 Qualitative and quantitative changes in these parameters are used in the scientific assessment
of animal welfare. Therefore, welfare is likely to be poor if animals die prematurely, fail to reproduce, show increased
disease susceptibility, exhibit certain hormonal or metabolic changes, or display particular pathological behaviour
patterns.

Health and Welfare in Chinese Fur Farms
The evidence presented in this report shows that China’s colossal fur industry routinely subjects animals to housing,
husbandry, transport and slaughter practices that are unacceptable from a veterinary, animal welfare and moral
perspective.
Animals were universally handled roughly and confined to rows of inappropriate, small wire cages, in all farms, Markets
and slaughter facilities visited. Signs of extreme anxiety and pathological behaviours were prominent throughout. Other
obvious indicators of poor welfare include high cub mortality, self-mutilation and infanticide. Slaughter procedures
too were grossly inhumane, forcing millions of animals to endure a drawn out, violent, inconceivably painful and
distressing death.
China is the biggest fur trade production and processing base in the world.15 Each year unimaginable numbers of animals
are forced through Chinese fur farms and slaughter houses for the sake of their skins. Yet, China is still without any
legal provisions for animal welfare. The most recent initiatives to address this legislative vacuum were shelved last
year.

When individuals are placed into artificial environments, both the
complexity and amount of their physical surroundings are dramatically
reduced. In addition, captive animals are forced to tolerate and closely
interact with humans, who control every aspect of their daily lives.39 In
the wild, animals can control stimulus loads by making behavioural
adjustments, such as approach, attack, chase, explore, avoid or hide.
In a dramatic ‘reality shift’, these coping strategies are no longer
available in most captive situations.39, 40 Lack of control and exposure to
inescapable adversity is recognised as profoundly damaging, and it has
therefore been argued that many chronic stressors are unique to
captive environments.
Professor Donald Broom, of the Veterinary Department of the
University of Cambridge, argues that behavioural abnormalities are
best suited for the detection of chronic welfare problems.31 Where they
occur they are usually associated with the absence of ‘resources’ the
animal requires and the acccompanying frustration. This can mean
anything from access to more space, a more stimulating or quiet or
environment, the ability to perform certain behaviours and access to
social or sexual partners.32

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Behavioural Problems and Captivity

“I don’t think that China
needs any legislation
concerning fur animals… in
China we trust the Finnish
ability and know-how of how
to farm foxes because Finns
have bred fur animals over
1,000 years.”
A Chinese fur farmer16

7

 © Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

In Chinese fur farms, foxes, raccoon dogs, mink and
rabbits are confined to cramped wire mesh cages.
European guidelines stated in the Council of
Europe’s ‘Standing Committee of the European
Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for
Farming Purposes: Recommendation Concerning
Fur Animals’ 41 stipulate a minimum cage area for
foxes on fur farms of 0.8m2 or 8000cm2. Some of the
larger cages holding foxes and raccoon dogs in
China measured around 90 x 70cm, the equivalent of
0.63m2 or 6300cm2. Thus, even in the larger cages,
foxes and raccoon dogs have a third less floor space
and 14% (10cm) less cage height than minimum EC
recommendations.

“Fur farmers have a vested interest
in keeping their animals healthy
and content.”

Farmed foxes are known to suffer from extreme
fear,42-44 which is exacerbated by close proximity of
humans, frequent and rough handling, inability to
International Fur Trade Federation8
withdraw and crowded housing near other foxes.
According to Council of Europe recommendations,
foxes should therefore be supplied with year-round nest boxes.41 However, in addition to being confined in unsuitably
small cages, foxes on Chinese fur farms have been denied this. Fear has been linked to physiological stress, the
development of abnormal behaviours (see below), infanticide in nursing mothers and - not surprisingly - poor welfare.
All are widespread on Chinese fur farms, as are signs of self-mutilation. In addition to excessive fear, research has
identified the barrenness of cages and impaired reproduction as major problems associated with fox farming. Their
presence too, has therefore been linked with poor welfare in this species. In recognition of these factors, several
European countries have banned or severely restricted fox farming. EU recommendations also stipulate that “until
there is sufficient information on the welfare of raccoon dogs, keeping of this species on fur farms should be
discouraged.” 44
Caged animals often perform repetitive, invariant behaviour patterns that serve no apparent function. They are
collectively known as stereotypies.46 These behaviours are frequently seen in captive animals, and in carnivores
typically take the form of pacing back and forth. In some cases, pacing may be accompanied by, or consist solely of
other repetitive movements, such as a nodding or circling of the head – a common sight in farmed mink.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Stereotypies have been associated with poor welfare in captive animals for more than five decades, since they tend
to develop in conditions that have been identified as stressful and aversive.31, 47, 48 Based on scientific evidence, such
situations include restrictive environments, lack of stimulation and unavoidable fear or frustration.46 They are
particularly common in inappropriate sterile and restrictive housing conditions49, 50 and often occur where animals have
been unable to extract themselves from stressful situations.46-48 Scientific research on this topic has led to stereotypic
behaviour being used as an indicator of poor welfare and coping difficulties in both human and nonhuman animals.31, 46
Therefore, “any individual showing them has a problem.” 31

“Only good animal
welfare is acceptable
for fur farmed animals
and this should be
the basis of all animal
husbandry legislation.”
British Fur Trade Association14

During her research at Oxford University, Dr Ros Clubb, who recently
joined Care for the Wild International’s Project Team, found that the
greater the constraint on natural behaviour in captivity, the more
stereotypies and other signs of poor welfare are shown by captive
carnivores. Species that usually travel great distances in the wild show the
highest levels of stereotypy and infant mortality compared to species that
hold smaller natural territories in the wild. Part of Dr Clubb’s work involved
investigating the stereotypies of animals farmed for their fur, including
mink and foxes. The few studies that exist on the stereotypies of farmed
foxes show the behaviour to be infrequent, occupying on average less
than 1% of the animals’ time.44, 53 Observations and video footage of foxes
confined in Chinese fur farms show extreme levels of stereotypic behaviour,
indicating that the animals’ housing conditions are grossly inadequate and
result in serious welfare problems.
Foxes on Chinese fur farms were often inactive and apathetic, often huddling
in the back of their cages. Ongoing uncontrollable aversive stimulation
can lead to a behavioural response termed ‘learned helplessness’54, which
at first glance can appear similar to habituation.55 However, the behavioural
sign of 'giving up' in the face of uncontrollable aversive conditions is linked
to profound physiological effects56 associated with poor welfare.

Fur Quality

8

In one of its perennial arguments in defence of fur farming, the industry claims that fur quality is a sure fire indicator
that animals are well cared for. Statements like, “It is a fact that fur farming and good welfare go hand in hand” 22 may

 sound sensible, but it’s not that simple. Foxes and mink are killed after their first winter moult, when their coat is in
prime condition. Years of selective breeding for fur quality have produced animals whose fur quality is less sensitive
to welfare conditions than, say that of companion animals. In its report on the welfare of animals farmed for fur, the
Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare of the European Commission (p73) states: “fur clarity and
density do not correlate with any other welfare measure. Thus, except in extreme cases indicative of pre-clinical or
clinical conditions, or cases of pelt biting, considered below, mink pelt condition is probably best considered a
production measure rather than a sensitive welfare measure.” 44

Cub Mortality
Infanticide is a familiar problem on fox farms. According to fur farm owners in China, average cub mortality to weaning
is 50%. This is exceptionally high even for foxes on farms. In Sweden an estimated 15–30% of fox cubs die before
weaning and in Finland, the fur trade magazine ‘Turkistalous’ mentions an estimated 30% mortality in 1990.57 A
Norwegian study referred to by the European Commission in its report ‘The Welfare of Animals kept for Fur
Production’, describes cub mortality levels of 16.8% for silver foxes and 22% for red foxes.58

Artificial Insemination

Transport
Welfare problems associated with transporting domestic or wild
animals are numerous.32 Transport is known to be stressful. This fact is
acknowledged even by the international fur industry.59 Yet, in China, animals
are frequently transported to markets, where they are slaughtered, over
considerable distances and under appalling conditions.

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Artificial insemination is common on fur farms, including those in China. In Finland, the use of artificial insemination
has given rise to welfare concerns, which fur farm workers have reportedly conveyed to the Finnish animal protection
organisation, Animalia.16 Artificial insemination is said to be used mostly to crossbreed blue and silver foxes, whose
natural mating periods do not overlap. According to this source, “precise timing is needed if the female is not to be hurt.
If heat detectors and insemination devices are used too early, injuries result. Too high a voltage in the heat detection
device causes convulsions. Lack of hygiene and ripping of membranes are reported to have resulted in thousands of
deaths. Sperm collection is an unpleasant procedure with foxes struggling to get away and damaging their teeth on
tongs. The same donor can be used several times a week.” 57

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Slaughter
The evidence that animals feel pain and seek to avoid it is
overwhelming.60-63 The body’s nocicpetive system is responsible for
pain perception. It includes anatomical, physiological and
biochemical elements, such as receptors, neuronal pathways and
uses specific transmitter substances, which are present in most
animals, including man.64-66 All vertebrates have such a system,
which varies little from one mammalian species to another, and
invertebrates have some components of it. Such evidence "suggests
strongly that pain can be experienced by all animals." 28 Recent
experimental research on several mammalian species (including
man) has confirmed that the pain thresholds for thermal stimuli and
pressure are approximately the same for all species examined.67, 68
However, phylogenetic distance from our own species can affect
our ability to interpret an animal's response to pain.28, 69
Slaughter practices used on animals farmed for fur in China
involved extremely rough handling and stunning or attempts to stun
the animals with repeated blows to the head or by being flung head
first against the ground. Following this treatment animals were
often left next to, or piled on top of each other. Some animals may
have been dead, others stunned. Clearly injured, many were
convulsing, trembling or trying to crawl away. Workers made no
attempts to ensure that animals were dead before skinning. In
other cases animals regained consciousness as their skin was
being removed. Workers then used the handle of their knife to beat
the animals’ head repeatedly until they became motionless once
again. Others simply stepped on the animals’ head or neck to
strangle it or hold it down. Desperate and writhing in agony, animals
conscious during these proceedures hopelessly tried to defend
themselves even to the point where all their skin had been forced
off. Even so, breathing, heart beat, directional body and eyelid
movements were evident for 5 to 10 minutes.

9

 Regulations and scientific discussions of killing methods for animals held in fur farm generally refer to methods such
as gassing, lethal injection and electrocution. e.g. 41, 42, 44 None anticipated having to address recommendations on animals
being clubbed, choked or skinned to death.
Because animals can experience pain and fear, inflicting them has moral implications. Regulations and technical
discussions of slaughter practices that take at least some account of what science has to say on these matters, emphasise
the importance of minimising pain and distress.
Article 22 of the Council of Europe Standing Committee of the European Convention for the Protection of
Animals Kept for Farming Purposes (T-AP)’s 1999 recommendation concerning fur animals states that:
1. Killing shall be done by a competent person without causing undue agitation, pain or other forms of distress.
The method chosen shall either:
a. cause immediate loss of consciousness and death, or
b. rapidly induce deep general anaesthesia culminating in death, or
c. cause the death of an animal which is anaesthetised or effectively stunned without any aversive influence on
the animal.
Appendix F lists the principal methods which can, when used correctly, meet these requirements and which
should be applied when permitted under domestic law and in accordance with domestic law.
2. The person responsible for the killing shall ensure that for each animal the requirements under paragraph 1 above
are fulfilled, and that the animal is dead before further procedures are carried out.
3. Killing shall be done so as to cause the least possible disturbance to the other animals.

The slaughter methods furbearing animals are subjected to in China fail to meet, or come close to meeting, any of
these provisions. Instead, the lives of millions of animals held captive in Chinese fur farms are characterised by
extraordinary and chronic suffering, before being terminated in the most violent and agonising deaths.

11. Conclusions

© Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

Conditions on Chinese fur farms make a mockery of the most elementary animal welfare standards. In their lives and
their unspeakable deaths, these animals have been denied even the most simple acts of kindness. Instead, millions
of individuals are forced to endure the most profound indifference to their suffering, dignity and most basic needs – in
the name of fashion. This report shows that China’s colossal fur industry routinely subjects animals to housing,
husbandry, transport and slaughter practices that are unacceptable from a veterinary, animal welfare and moral point
of view.

Animals are killed “very
quickly (counted in seconds)
and without pain.”

10

International Fur Trade Federation

8

According to industry sources, fur has re-established its position
in the fashion world. Reportedly, more than 350 leading
international fashion designers now include fur in their collections.
With ever growing product ranges, manufacturing methods
and colour selections, the International Fur Trade Federation
(IFTF) and its national member organisations have done a
good job peddling fur to the mass market as fashion ‘musthaves’. Many shoppers, who might flinch at buying a full length
fur coat, might still be seduced by a coat with a fur collar, a
parka with fur trim around the hood, a scarf, or wrap, or a
handbag with fur detail. Alternatively, the animal connection
may be less apparent with fur that has been shaved, knitted or
dyed, or combined with other materials. No longer regarded
purely as a luxury product, fur today is mass produced and
‘affordable’. But at what cost? Fur trim may not seem so bad,
but fur is fur, and in order to put it on a garment an animal has
to die – and as we have seen, that death isn’t always easy.
Neither was it’s life. The international fur industry, of which
China is an integral part, is working to a fallacy. To borrow the
words of Catherine Aga Khan, “As consumers, let us not be
deceived by propaganda which suggests there can be such a
thing as “humanely“ produced fur”.16 Let us be clear: the
euphemisms espoused by the IFTF are designed to hide the
hideous truth about the horror that is the life and death of the
millions of animals caught up in this nightmare behind a
sanitised and glossy world of high fashion and wholesomeness
- backed by million dollar PR campaigns.

 With fur production, processing and retailing of fur available on international
markets increasingly shifting to China, which is part of the IFTF, the issues
raised by this report have become something that should concern us all.
China is the world’s biggest exporter of fur garments; the European Union the
world’s biggest consumer of fur. It therefore comes as no surprise that a
random market survey of boutiques and department stores in Switzerland and
London uncovered fur garments labelled “Made in China” among top fashion
brands. In the Treaty of Amsterdam, EU member states endorse “improved
protection and respect for the welfare of animals as sentient beings”. Yet,
housing conditions, husbandry, transport and slaughter practices fall radically
short of EU, UK and Swiss animal welfare regulations.
In 1989, the UK government’s welfare advisory body, the Farm Animal
Welfare Council, announced its disapproval of mink and fox farming, noting
that "the systems employed ... do not satisfy some of the most basic criteria
... identified for protecting the welfare of farm animals." 70 Ten years later, fur
farming was banned in the UK on humanitarian grounds. However British
businesses continue to profit from fur on a grand scale. It seems schizophrenic
that members of the British Fur Trade Association turn over £500 million a
year as the world’s largest buyers of pelts, in a country where fur farming has
been made illegal to protect fur bearing animals.
Between 10 and 24 foxes and 36 to 65 mink are killed to make a single fur
coat, but the vast majority of fox pelts are used for trim. Professor Rev.
Andrew Lindzey once said, “All the ways we exploit animals are terrible, but
none of them is more terrible than the living hell we create for animals on fur
farms.” 71 Their beautiful coats, designed to protect them, have become their
one-way ticket to this hell. On one of its web pages, the British Fur Trade
Association boasts, “We know that consumers are voting with their feet and
wallets as they flock to the shops to buy fur.” 72 What we buy changes the
world. The fur industry is right. Buying fur is about choice. It is our sincere
hope that this report will serve to inform the choices of many potential fur
enthusiasts. In defence of fur farming, the international fur industry has
appealed to “Britain’s inherent sense of fairness”. In defence of the animals,
we would like to do the same.

In view of the findings presented in
this report we appeal to:
z Fashion designers to shun the use of fur in their collections
and use non-violent materials instead
z Shoppers not to buy fur garments or accessories or clothes
with fur trimmings
z Shoppers to check whether designers incorporate fur in their
collections
z Fashion retailers not to stock garments or accessories or
clothes with fur trimmings

z Chinese government to urgently introduce and enforce
legislation prohibiting the skinning of live animals
z Chinese government to urgently introduce and enforce legislation
prohibiting inhumane treatment and slaughter methods
z Chinese government to introduce and enforce legislation
prohibiting the inhumane confinement of animals

Photos © Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International

z EU member states and the European Parliament to ban the
import of fur from China and of garments that contain such fur

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