Monday, March 1, 2010

Fighting Fur Farms in Finalnd

The Finish Broadcasting Company - known by its abbreviation YLE (don't ask me why) - has shown devastating footage of the inside of fur farms. The footage was shot by Oikeutta Eläimille, a Finnish animal rights group. I haven't seen it, but apparently it's very difficult to watch. It shows foxes who are so distressed they've eaten their own tails. And the video wasn't just shot at one fur farm - there are film clips from some thirty fur farms across the country, and it all tells the same horrifying story. A spokeswoman for the Finnish Fur Breeders' Association assured the Helsinki Times: "The everyday reality on Finnish fur farms is completely different. The average Finnish fur farmer is extremely responsible."

But animal rights activists beg to differ. In fact, the heroic Finnish group Oikeutta Eläimille is helping organize anti-fur demonstrations in Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden. These protests are vital because the Finnish Industry exports fur to so many different countries around the world. (Source)

It's a noble struggle, full of lots of heroes and heroines. The British model Twiggy has been wonderful in this fight. Recently, she slammed fashion designers for creating coats from foxes and minks. As Twiggy put it: "I am very sad some designers are still using real fur when the fake alternatives are so effective and easily obtainable. Is it really worth this cruelty just for fashion's sake? I don't think so." (Source)

In the months ahead, Oikeutta Eläimille will keep organizing fur protests against the Finnish fur industry. The struggle continues.

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