Latest news with #FourPaws
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fur imported and sold in UK should be banned
Fur imported and sold in the UK should be banned, an MP has said. While fur farming has been banned in Wales and England since 2000, many types of fur are still legally imported and sold. Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, has introduced a Private Members' Bill to Parliament that would prohibit the import and sale of new fur products. The British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) accused Jones of being the "wardrobe police", adding the ban would be "unenforceable and unworkable" and may breach trade agreements with the EU and the US. How my challenge to stop buying new clothes has gone Designer brings Welsh myths to London Fashion Week Miners' strike designs help Welsh fashion find voice Jones said: "Twenty years ago, a Labour government banned fur farming because it was cruel and inhumane. "If we think it's cruel and inhumane to farm it, why are we importing it? It doesn't make sense." The MP added: "Caged animals are kept in dreadful, inhumane conditions just to provide fur for a declining industry. "Faux fur could do the job just as well." Sonul Badiani-Hamment, UK director for animal welfare organisation Four Paws, recently presented a petition with one-and-a-half million signatures in support of a fur-free Britain, alongside other campaigners. "There isn't any justification for the cruelty experienced by these animals on fur farms," she said. "Country after country are leaving the market. Sweden recently committed to decommissioning the fur trade entirely." The British Fashion Council attended one of the campaign group's events in Parliament to support the proposed bill, she said. Ms Badiani-Hamment said she had noticed the fashion industry changing, adding there were "very few designers left in the country handling fur". "It's just not desirable." But Mel Kaplan, who works at Vintage Fur Garden in London, said demand for vintage fur was growing. "We have queues going out the door in the winter," she said. "Over the past three years, there's been a resurgence in the want for vintage fur. "I think younger people especially are looking more to vintage clothing in general. I think fast fashion has taken a decline in popularity." Furriers in the UK sell a variety of fur that has been imported from other countries. The import or export of cat and dog fur, and products containing their fur, is banned. There is also a ban on selling cat and dog fur in the UK market. The new bill calls for a ban on all new fur being imported or sold in the UK and would not apply to vintage items. Ms Kaplan said all the coats and jackets in their store were from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. The shop has a rigorous process when acquiring fur products to ensure that what they are selling is vintage, not new fur, she added. Ms Kaplan also said vintage fur was sustainable, adding: "If it were to be discarded, it would go back into the earth, everything - all the fibres and the fur is natural. "I don't support the making of new furs, I don't support the farming and I don't support the sale of it, but I can get behind a piece that was already made with the intention of being worn so it can carry on being worn." In a statement, the BFTA warned that a ban could cost thousands of skilled British jobs. "Standards in the fur sector are among the highest of any form of animal husbandry with rigorous and comprehensive animal welfare standards, third-party inspection and strict international and national laws," it said. "Fur is popular as evidenced by the number of young people choosing to wear it who are rejecting oil-based fast fashions often made in sweatshop conditions. "MPs like Ruth Jones should respect that others are happy to wear high-welfare fur, rather than acting like the wardrobe police." The second reading of the bill is expected to take place in Parliament on 4 July. Meanwhile, the UK government said it was building a "clear evidence base to inform future action", with an updated animal welfare strategy due to be published later this year. French fashion giant to ban use of fur Queen Camilla will buy no more real-fur items Soaring cost of King's Guards' real fur bearskin caps revealed
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Fur imported and sold in the UK should be banned says Welsh MP
Fur imported and sold in the UK should be banned, an MP has fur farming has been banned in Wales and England since 2000, many types of fur are still legally imported and Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, has introduced a Private Members' Bill to Parliament that would prohibit the import and sale of new fur British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) accused Jones of being the "wardrobe police", adding the ban would be "unenforceable and unworkable" and may breach trade agreements with the EU and the US. Jones said: "Twenty years ago, a Labour government banned fur farming because it was cruel and inhumane."If we think it's cruel and inhumane to farm it, why are we importing it? It doesn't make sense."The MP added: "Caged animals are kept in dreadful, inhumane conditions just to provide fur for a declining industry."Faux fur could do the job just as well."Sonul Badiani-Hamment, UK director for animal welfare organisation Four Paws, recently presented a petition with one-and-a-half million signatures in support of a fur-free Britain, alongside other campaigners. "There isn't any justification for the cruelty experienced by these animals on fur farms," she said. "Country after country are leaving the market. Sweden recently committed to decommissioning the fur trade entirely."The British Fashion Council attended one of the campaign group's events in Parliament to support the proposed bill, she said. Ms Badiani-Hamment said she had noticed the fashion industry changing, adding there were "very few designers left in the country handling fur". "It's just not desirable."But Mel Kaplan, who works at Vintage Fur Garden in London, said demand for vintage fur was growing."We have queues going out the door in the winter," she said. "Over the past three years, there's been a resurgence in the want for vintage fur. "I think younger people especially are looking more to vintage clothing in general. I think fast fashion has taken a decline in popularity."Furriers in the UK sell a variety of fur that has been imported from other countries. The import or export of cat and dog fur, and products containing their fur, is banned. There is also a ban on selling cat and dog fur in the UK new bill calls for a ban on all new fur being imported or sold in the UK and would not apply to vintage Kaplan said all the coats and jackets in their store were from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. The shop has a rigorous process when acquiring fur products to ensure that what they are selling is vintage, not new fur, she added. Ms Kaplan also said vintage fur was sustainable, adding: "If it were to be discarded, it would go back into the earth, everything - all the fibres and the fur is natural."I don't support the making of new furs, I don't support the farming and I don't support the sale of it, but I can get behind a piece that was already made with the intention of being worn so it can carry on being worn."In a statement, the BFTA warned that a ban could cost thousands of skilled British jobs."Standards in the fur sector are among the highest of any form of animal husbandry with rigorous and comprehensive animal welfare standards, third-party inspection and strict international and national laws," it said."Fur is popular as evidenced by the number of young people choosing to wear it who are rejecting oil-based fast fashions often made in sweatshop conditions."MPs like Ruth Jones should respect that others are happy to wear high-welfare fur, rather than acting like the wardrobe police."The second reading of the bill is expected to take place in Parliament on 4 July. Meanwhile, the UK government said it was building a "clear evidence base to inform future action", with an updated animal welfare strategy due to be published later this year.
eNCA
20-05-2025
- General
- eNCA
Give a rescue dog a bone and a home
JOHANNESBURG - Tuesday is World Rescue Dog Day, and what better time to let a furry friend adopt you? WATCH: Animal Safety | Spend a night in a kennel with a rescue animal Four Paws SA is urging you to adopt, not shop, because every paw in need is a loyal friend indeed. Let's spread hope and love to the millions of homeless animals waiting for their forever homes. Bertha Moteane from Four Paws discussed this with eNCA.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
World Health Assembly adopts landmark Pandemic Agreement, embracing One Health approach
Foxes on a fur farm in Mylnek, Poland Image: Four Paws In a landmark decision that could reshape global health policy, the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva has officially adopted the Pandemic Agreement, marking the first time the One Health approach—a concept that underscores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—has been enshrined in an international, legally binding framework. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has applauded this development as a crucial step towards preventing pandemics right at their source, urging all nations to not only sign the treaty but also to swiftly implement its provisions. Nina Jamal, Head of Pandemics and Campaign Strategies at FOUR PAWS, highlighted the significance of this agreement. "Today, WHO member states adopted a historic global instrument and committed to tackling the drivers of pandemics at their source, significantly reducing the risk of future outbreaks before humans and animals suffer," she said, emphasising that animal welfare is now recognised as a key component in safeguarding human health. 'This adoption marks a watershed moment, anchoring animal welfare as essential for protecting human health. It shows that global health policy is evolving to include measures beyond symptom control and addresses issues before disease outbreaks burden health systems.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mink Farm in Poland. Image: FOUR PAWS This newly adopted treaty not only reiterates the importance of animal welfare in health policy but also represents a strong commitment to international collaboration in confronting global challenges. By embracing the One Health approach officially, governments worldwide are encouraged to develop multisectoral strategies that acknowledge the intricate links between human well-being, animal health, and environmental stability. FOUR PAWS underscores the alarming reality that over 70% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, influenced by human actions towards the treatment of animals and their habitats. Jamal pointed to the ongoing threat posed by zoonotic diseases, such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, which has recently affected dairy cattle in the US and has been linked to significant health risks for both animals and humans. The stark reality is that conditions in factory farms exacerbate these risks, allowing for the proliferation and mutation of viruses involved in outbreaks. Examples of the dire consequences of ignoring animal welfare abound; in 2023, over 500,000 animals—including mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs—were euthanised on fur farms in Finland, while 141 million poultry were killed or euthanised globally in 2022 as part of efforts to contain the H5N1 outbreak. Jamal suggested that transitioning to smaller farms with improved animal welfare could mitigate such risks, ultimately lowering disease transmission and reducing both animal suffering and economic losses. Broiler chicken farm investigation in December 2020 in east England. The investigation took place on one of Britain's mega farms. As calculations of flock and building size have revealed, more than 22 birds are kept per square metre of floor space. Many of the birds are visibly sick and forced to live miserable lives. Image: Four Paws 'When they suffer, we suffer,' Jamal emphasised, calling for an evaluation of high-risk practices such as habitat destruction, wildlife trade, and the deplorable conditions prevalent in factory farming. Countries that have successfully implemented the One Health approach, like Uganda—with its National One Health Platform—illustrate the effectiveness of interministerial collaboration in preventing zoonotic disease outbreaks. With a track record of addressing zoonotic threats such as Ebola and anthrax, Uganda prioritises disease prevention and preparedness, serving as a pioneering example for others to follow. The call to action is clear: as the world grapples with changing health dynamics, the emphasis on One Health is more critical than ever. FOUR PAWS advocates that recognising this interconnectedness is not merely an ideal but a necessary approach to safeguard public health moving forward.
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Hope on the horizon as TB treatment begins for elephants
A Four Paws team sounds the alarm on the health of Madhubala and Malka. PHOTO: EXPRESS Listen to article Two elephants at Safari Park, Madhubala and Malika, are undergoing treatment for tuberculosis under the supervision of Sri Lankan veterinary expert Dr Buddhika Bandara. The specialist has arrived in Karachi for a 17-day visit to assess their condition and oversee the treatment, which follows internationally recommended medical protocols. Dr Bandara, accompanied by committee member Yusra Askari and other local veterinarians, addressed the media on Friday to provide an update on the elephants' condition. According to him, both elephants were diagnosed with TB in May, and treatment commenced immediately under international protocols. The treatment consists of two phases - an intensive initial stage lasting two months, followed by a ten-month regimen of regular medication and check-ups. Dr Bandara, who has successfully treated 15 elephants with TB in the past, expressed confidence that Madhubala and Malika will also recover. Both elephants remain under strict medical supervision. To ensure their safety and minimise stress, the Safari Park administration has restricted public access. Visitors may only observe the elephants from designated viewing areas or specially arranged buses. Dr Bandara explained that the elephants' health will be reviewed every two months, with a more comprehensive screening scheduled every six months. The next major assessment will take place in six months. The animals received their most recent medication 13 days ago, and their treatment is progressing as planned. Although the recovery process is long, Dr Bandara emphasised that full recovery is possible if the prescribed treatment protocol is followed diligently. He expressed hope that both elephants will soon show signs of significant improvement. The park administration, along with attending veterinarians, expressed satisfaction with the current treatment measures. They assured the public that every possible medical facility and expert oversight is being provided to restore the health and vitality of Madhubala and Malika, with the ultimate aim of allowing them to once again become a cherished attraction for park visitors.
