By Scott Cardamatis

The second national anti-fur day on June 1 was marked by demonstrations in each capital city. In the largest anti-fur protest yet in this country, 300 people marched through the streets of Sydney.

In the past 12 months, the fur trade has suffered its worst year to date, both in Australia and internationally.

All 10 David Jones fur salons were closed as activists from many groups led by SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation) demonstrated against the retail giant. Another three furriers in Sydney also closed.

Furrier P. Hammerman, who is also the leaseholder of the David Jones fur department and vice-president of the Australian Fur Council, took five SAFE members to court in relation to a demonstration they held against him and his business. The matter was resolved, but the coordinator of the group alleges he was attacked by the furrier wielding a tennis racket.

Trapping is down by over 60% in most countries. “Most of us are either pelting down or leaving the industry altogether”, said the president of the Fur Age Weekly. The second largest furrier in America, the Fur Vault, announced a $7.2 billion dollar loss in the last financial year. Subsequently, it sold out to the new, growing, chain Jindo Furs.

Jindo, whose aim is to be the McDonald's of the fur trade, is rapidly increasing its domination of the market, relying upon exploitation of poorly paid Korean workers and a unique fur farm hidden deep within the country. There are no laws against animal cruelty in that country. More than 1 million mink and 1000 foxes are jammed into tiny wire cages where there is no room to stretch, let alone run free.

Tools

• Bookmark This Page
• Print This Page