What’s New on the Anti-Fur Front

As trappers, we should take the occasional time out to catch up on what’s happening in the fur industry.  Sure, the majority of trappers may not be in it for the money, but the reality is that without a market to sell our fur, it would be very difficult to keep trapping.  This is evidenced by the fact that lower fur prices lead to decreased trapping pressure on certain species.  And as we’re well aware, this often leads to overpopulation and damage problems from these species.

Fur prices are important to trappers.  They are important to me and other trappers I talk to.  They are also important to the people who visit TrappingToday.com.  The site has been getting a lot of traffic lately, and the majority of the people who get here from search engines like Google are seeking info on fur prices.  It just goes to show that people want to know what’s going on with the fur market.

While I wouldn’t go so far as to give animal rights activists too much credit for influencing fur prices (at least not yet), they sure can make waves in the fur industry.  Let’s take a quick look at some current events that may or may not impact the market for fur.

Truth in Fur Labeling Act

This bill, passed by the U.S. Legislature in 2010, will go into effect March 2011.  It closes a so-called loophole that did not require fur clothing items sold in small quantities or at low prices to be labeled.  For instance, a coat with a coyote-trimmed hood previously did not have to be labeled as containing coyote fur, but now it does.  This law seems like an attempt by the anti’s to reduce fur sales to people by making sure they know what they are buying contains real animal fur.  Personally, I think it will backfire on them.  I think lots of folks would actually prefer to wear real fur, and won’t be deterred from buying a coat once they know it contains fur.  Plus, it will provide an educational opportunity for folks who don’t know the importance that real fur plays in the garment trim trade.

Israeli Fur Ban

Sometime in early 2011, officials in Israel will vote on a proposal to ban all forms of fur and the fur trade in the entire country.  This seems like a goofy stance for a free country like Israel to have, but one must assume that the majority of people in the country have been disconnected from the use of fur for a long time.  The bill has been supported by celebrity activists like Pamela Anderson and Paul McCartney, who are using their fame to push the anti-fur agenda.  The Canadian fur industry has urged Israel to reconsider.  I have a hunch that the bill will pass.  Israel doesn’t play a big role in the world fur market, so if passed, it shouldn’t have a direct impact on demand.  The more important concern I see is the potential for a ripple effect that would encourage similar bans in other countries.

Stores That Have Stopped Selling Fur

Limited Brands, Wet Seal, Jones Apparel Group, Forever 21 and Papaya are all stores that have discontinued the sale of garments that contain fur.  Luckily for the fur industry, these are not really big retail players.  Supporters of trapping, the fur industry, and sound wildlife management can make a difference by boycotting these stores and purchasing items from stores that support the fur industry.  Writing letters of support to companies that sell real fur garments can help as well.  Many retailers have stopped selling real fur simply due to pressure from the Humane Society of the United States and PETA.  They are afraid of bad publicity.  If they knew they had support from a large number of Americans, they’d be more likely to stand up to these groups.

West Hollywood Fur Ban

This one seems like kind of a joke.  Activists and officials in ultra-liberal West Hollywood want to make it the first city in the U.S. to completely ban the fur trade.  The ban probably wouldn’t mean much – not many people sell or wear fur in the area.  If passed, it would only further solidify the city’s distance from reality.  Some folks are already starting to question the constitutionality of such a law.

Petition to Ban Fur in the EU

The change.org petition to ban fur in the European Union certainly isn’t the first one, and I can say with confidence that this will go nowhere.  While fur trapping isn’t as high-profile in Europe as it is in North America, the area dominates the ranched fur industry with its many fur farms.

Targeted Celebrities that Wear Fur

Animal rights groups continue to bash celebrities in the U.S. who choose to wear fur.  Unfortunately for them, however, the popularity of fur seems to be really growing.  Supporters of fur can thank bold celebrities that aren’t afraid to wear fur.  These include Jennifer Lopez, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aretha Franklin, Jessica Simpson, Goldie Hawn and daughter Kate Hudson, and yes, many in the not my favorite hip/hop-rap industry like Kanye West.

So there’s a recap on what’s been going on lately in the anti fur industry.  As trappers, we should keep an eye on current events that may have an impact on our trade, no matter how indirect they may be.  If you get the chance, take a minute to show your support for the fur industry that makes our way of living possible, and helps support regulated wildlife management throughout the developed world.