Sinn Fein to back a ban on fur farming in Ireland

Sinn Fein has today announced that it WILL SUPPORT upcoming legislation which aims to ban cruel fur farming in Ireland.

Responding to correspondence from the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald TD stated: “After consultation with our Policy Department, I can confirm that Sinn Féin passed a motion at an Ard Fheis a number of years ago to ban mink farming. I am therefore happy to confirm that we will be in a position to support the legislation when it is introduced at second stage.”

A big thank you to Mary Lou McDonald TD for this positive response and to everyone who contacted the party.

Sinn Fein’s announcement follows a similar statement from The Labour Party on Tuesday in which it confirmed that it will support a ban. Party leader Brendan Howlin said: “The Labour Party recognises that there is widespread public concern about fur farming and the conditions in which otherwise wild animals are kept in this industry. Labour supports a ban on fur farming in Ireland.”

Our attention now turns to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael (scroll down for more information on how both previously supported a ban on fur farming).

Yesterday, Fianna Fail TD, Willie O’Dea, said that his party will review Solidarity’s “Prohibition of Fur Farming Bill 2018”. Deputy O’Dea – Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Social Protection – stated in an email: “I understand your concerns regarding the practices of fur farming.”

ACTION ALERT

Please contact your local TDs and urge them to support Solidarity’s Prohibition of Fur Farming Bill. Contact details for TDs can be found at https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/tds/?term=/ie/oireachtas/house/dail/32

Email “Please support a ban on cruel fur farming” to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael:
info@fiannafail.ie, micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie
finegael@finegael.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie

More party contact details – http://www.banbloodsports.com/parties.htm

Find out more about Solidarity’s Bill at

Join us in urging Minister Michael Creed and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to put in place a long overdue ban on fur farming.

Email “Ban fur farming NOW” to Leo.Varadkar@oir.ie, michael.creed@oir.ie, taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, AnimalHealthAndWelfareAct@agriculture.gov.ie

Tel: +353 (0)1 6194000 (Leo Varadkar)
Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510 (Michael Creed)
Tweet: @campaignforleo @creedcnw Ban fur farming NOW
Comment on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/
https://www.facebook.com/michaelcreedtd

Sign and share our petition – Ban fur farming in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-fur-farming-in-ireland-please-sign-and-share-our-petition

VIDEOS

ICABS footage – Victims of Ireland’s cruel far farming

NARA footage showing caged mink in a fur farm in Donegal

Mink pulled from cages and thrown into gassing box

– FIANNA FAIL –

In a coalition government with the Green Party, Fianna Fail in 2009 agreed to a ban on fur farming. A 3-year phase-out of fur farming was included in the Green Party/Fianna Fail programme for government. However, due to the government subsequently collapsing, this ban unfortunately never materialised.

On 2nd August 2018, Fianna Fail TD, Willie O’Dea, said that his party will review Solidarity’s upcoming “Prohibition of Fur Farming Bill 2018”. Deputy O’Dea – Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Social Protection – stated in an email: “I understand your concerns regarding the practices of fur farming.”

In April 2017, Fianna Fail TD Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North) asked the Minister for Agriculture “if he will consider revoking licences” for fur farming.

In 2013, current Fianna Fail TD Stephen Donnelly (then a Social Democrats TD) supported an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw fur farming.

– FINE GAEL –

In 2005, Fine Gael (when in opposition), voted in favour of the Green Party’s Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill which attempted to bring the cruel practice to an end. Fine Gael TDs – including the now Tanaiste Simon Coveney and sitting TDs Richard Bruton, Bernard Durkan, Damien English, Paul Kehoe, Enda Kenny and David Stanton – all voted in favour of the proposed legislation. Sadly, the bill was defeated by 67 votes to 50, with 62 Fianna Fail TDs voting against it.

In government following the collapse of the Fianna Fail/Green Party government in 2011, Fine Gael scrapped the phasing out of fur farming, with then Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney stating: “I don’t think it’s any secret that this isn’t an industry that I like, on a personal level, but that doesn’t mean I should be banning it.”

In 2013, Fine Gael voted AGAINST an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw fur farming.

In June 2017, Fine Gael TD Noel Rock (Dublin North West) asked Agriculture Minister Michael Creed “his plans to ban fur farming here” and “if rescinding the licences of the remaining fur farms will be considered”.