Frasers Group Annual Meeting Has an Unexpected Guest …

Posted by on October 7, 2020 | Permalink

“When will the board listen to the more than 90% of the British public that rejects fur and adopt a no-fur policy across Frasers Group?” That’s the question a PETA US representative will ask executives at Frasers Group’s (virtual) annual meeting today.

The action comes after House of Fraser, which is owned by Frasers Group, began selling fur again last year – despite supposedly enacting a no-fur policy in 2017.

Fur Production Is Cruel

Minks, foxes, and others exploited on fur farms are forced to live in crowded, filthy conditions before being slaughtered for their skin.

Living in cramped cages – far from their native homes and with no opportunity to play, jump, run, or do anything else that comes naturally to them – often drives these inquisitive, intelligent animals insane during their short lives. Fighting, self-mutilation, and cannibalism are common on fur farms.

Environmental Hazard

The fur industry doesn’t just put animals through a living hell before tearing off their skin – it’s also destroying the planet. A study of mink farms in Europe determined the impact of fur production with regard to 18 different environmental issues – such as the climate crisis, ozone pollution, and water and land use. For 17 of the 18 issues, fur was found to be far more harmful than any other material.

Producing 1 kilogram of fur has a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) factor of about 130 to 140 kilograms, compared to around 6 to 7 kilograms of CO2e for 1 kilogram of typical faux fur.

© Jo-Anne McArthur / #MakeFurHistory

Breeding Grounds for Disease

Filthy fur farms packed with sick, stressed, and injured minks are a breeding ground for disease, and facilities in Denmark, the Netherlands, North America, and Spain have experienced outbreaks of COVID-19. The situation became so dire that, in recent weeks, the Dutch, French, and Polish governments have taken steps to end fur farming in their countries.

Fur farm

PETA Asia
Wet market 

SARS and the novel coronavirus first infected humans who came into close contact with captive wildlife at live-animal markets – which represent a similar public health risk to that posed by fur farms.

Call On House of Fraser to Drop Fur

It’s simple: the production of all fur – no matter which country it originated in or what “ethical” claims are made on the label – involves extreme suffering, a painful death for animals, environmental destruction, and a risk to human health.

Send Mike Ashley, CEO of Frasers Group, a message urging him to reinstate the department store’s no-fur policy immediately and adopt a company-wide fur ban. British consumers have made their views clear – selling fur is cruel and outdated and must end.