Furriers Take a Pounding in Europe

The European Union has done it again. First it banned the sale of products from slaughtered seals, and now the European Parliament is requiring that all clothing containing any fur or leather whatsoever be clearly marked with labels stating, “Non-textile parts of animal origin.”

Member of the European Parliament Eva-Britt Svensson of Sweden said the new regulations would benefit animals, consumers, and allergy sufferers. “We’re always saying that consumer power is important, but if we’re serious about this, we have to live up to it and give consumers a chance to use their power,” she said. “Consumers must have the information to be able to ethically opt out of fur products and the cruel conditions in which they are often produced.”

You can use your consumer power by refusing to wear real animal fur or leather. Perhaps next the European Union can label fur-wearers too? Cruel, heartless, narcissistic—so many adjectives come to mind …

Written by Michelle Sherrow