271 top Irish stars seek ban on fur farming
Fair City actress Rachel Pilkington has delivered a 13 page submission to the Department of Agriculture seeking the ban of fur farming.
The document included the names of 271 members of the Irish entertainment industry, who all joined her in a call for an immediate ban on fur farming in Ireland. It was received by one of Simon Coveney's colleagues who came down to collect it from her in person.
Amongst those to lend their names to her campaign are: Saoirse Ronan, Robert Sheehan, Pauline McLynn, Stephen Rea, Amy Huberman, Gráinne Seoige, Angeline Ball, Sharon Shannon, Peter Coonan, Síle Seoige, Don Baker, Ruth Negga, Mary Coughlan, Lenny Abrahamson, Brian Kennedy, Eva Birthistle, Paddy McKenna, Frances Black, Darren Holden & Martin Furey, Clelia Murphy,Rosanna Davison, Simon Delaney, Aisling O' Sullivan, Jason Barry, Peter Sheridan, Mary Black,Hugh O' Conor, Victoria Smurfit and Josh Gray.
Sign & RT: End Fur Farming in #Ireland http://t.co/Ukigijbdh6 #FurFreeFriday #NoFur pic.twitter.com/KCG7ud8Cp2
— Millamaria Vaittinen (@patas_de_gato) July 21, 2014
The actress argues that fur farming violates most of the “five freedoms” which underpin animal welfare best practices.
“Not only are they denied the right to freedom and dignity, they are also denied the fundamental right to life. No amendments to the Government's current 'Code of Practice' will ever eradicate or sufficiently alleviate the suffering for these animals. No amendments to the 'Code of Practice' will ever excuse or justify it as a farming practice and for any Minister to even attempt to validate such cruelty on the grounds of economic profit or "benefit" she said.
“It is grossly unethical and demonstrates a shameful level of apathy towards animals. If the leaders of our country continue to condone and legalise the farming of mink and foxes in 2014 then it really does not reflect well on what should now be a more compassionate and progressive society."
Angelica Huston and Imelda May have both come forward separately and independently also calling on the Irish government to implement a ban.
"Fur farming is a shameful, cruel industry that has no place in modern Ireland. Please make Irish people proud and enact an immediate ban." Imelda has said regarding the topic.
There are currently five licensed mink farms operating in the Republic of Ireland and, between them, it is estimated that 200,000 to 225,000 mink are farmed.
The fur farming industry is illegal in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
ARAN - The Irish Animal rights network - produced this video regarding the topic in 2011.
BEWARE: This video is not for the faint hearted.
