85% of the world’s fur originates from farms.  China, a member of the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), is the world’s largest exporter of fur clothing and, according to industry sources, the biggest fur trade production and processing base in the world.  It appears that fur traders, processors and fashion designers around the world have gradually shifted their business to China.  China is also one of the few countries in the world without any legal provisions for animal welfare.

An undercover investigation into Chinese fur farms in 2004 provided the following observations:

• Most Chinese fur farms were established in the last ten years. Animals include fox, mink, raccoon dogs and rabbits.
• Between 25% and 30% of the country’s fur is obtained from wild animals, while 70-75% originates from captive animals.
• Companies which deal with fur pelts, full fur coats, fur accessories such as scarves, hats, toys, garments trimmings and even furniture, have mushroomed in China.
• High levels of stereotypic behaviour were observed throughout the farms.
• Cage sizes fell short of minimum EU recommendations.
• Slaughter methods were totally inhumane. Animals were stunned by repeated blows to the head or by picking them up by their hind legs and swinging them against the ground. Significant numbers of animals remained fully conscious throughout the whole process of skinning.
• The conditions on these farms were unacceptable from a veterinary, animal welfare and moral point of view, in terms of housing, husbandry, transport and slaughter standards.

In China, animal cruelty knows no boundries.