Call for ban on sale of real fur on Brighton and Hove council owned land

Labour councillor Theresa Fowler believes people are buying real fur thinking the item is synthetic from public markets.

She is putting the case for a ban on fur sales to the Full Council on Thursday October 24 – and to look into extending the policy to leather.

Councillor Fowler, who was elected to represent Hollingdean and Stanmer ward earlier this year, is asking for the authority’s Policy and Resources Committee to consider banning sales of items made of or trimmed with real fur on council-owned land and at council-run or leased markets.

The ban would also cover vintage fur, shawls, trims, fur pompom hats, accessories and trinkets.

In a notice of motion going before the council she said: “The United Kingdom has outlawed the farming of animals for their fur on ethical grounds since 2000 and that the use of one of the most common traps used to catch animals for their fur has been illegal for many years.

“Nonetheless fur products are imported from overseas nations, particularly China, where such bans do not operate and where there is virtually no animal welfare legislation in force.

“Real fur comes from animals raised in deplorable conditions or trapped in the wild and killed inhumanely.

“Regrettably these products are often found for sale on public markets in the UK and customers can inadvertently buy them thinking they are synthetics.”

Councillor Fowler wants the authority to support the Fur Free Markets campaign and sign up to it.

Her motion is seconded by fellow Labour councillor Anne Pissaridou.