Activists invite Maltese to participate in initiative to ban fur products across the EU

Local activists are inviting the Maltese to sign a European Citizens’ Initiative to ban fur farms and farmed fur products from the European market.

Fur Free Europe launched the initiative in March 2022 It is impossible to improve the welfare of animals on fur farms. Whilst no animals should live in a caged environment, the keeping of inherently wild species in cages can only be defined as abject cruelty.

A European citizens' initiative is an invitation to the European Commission to propose legislation on matters where the EU has competence to legislate. A citizens' initiative has to be backed by at least one million EU citizens, coming from at least seven out of the 28 member states.

Unlike other online petition, European Citizens’ Initiatives are supported by a Regulatory framework within the EU. This means that once a petition gathers the necessary support and is verified, there is a time frame to meet with the European Parliament (full plenary) which could lead to the Parliament adopting a resolution on the issue.

"The keeping and killing of animals solely for the purpose of fur production is ethically unacceptable. Numerous outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms have evidenced the veterinary-public health risks associated with the production of fur," Fur Free Europe is arguing.

The one million sigantures threshold has been met with over 1.5 million people from across the EU signing the petition.

The local campaign was launched by local TV program Vuci ghall-Annimali. It's campaign video includes personalities from different walks all with a common cause; to achieve a fur free Europe.

These include Carina Camilleri who works in fashion, TV and radio personality Frank Zammit, singer Errol Samut singer, cross fit champion Jessica Borg Ghigo, environmental activist Darryl Grima, TV personality Dylon Brignano and animal activist Athea Galea.

Vuci ghall-Annimali encouraged the Maltese to sign the petition, in order to meet the minimum threshold for the country of 4,230 signatures. Up till now 1,695 Maltese have signed.

The petition is available on https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/fur-free-europe and www.furfreeeuope.eu, and signatures are welcome till 1 March 2023.