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Fur Trade Worth 40 Billion

01-04-2014   


Fur_Fendi_copyThe International Fur Federation, which represents the interests of 42 national fur trade associations and organisations from 35 countries, has announced that the fur trade industry is worth more than 40 billion dollars to the global economy, approximately the same as the Wi-Fi industry.

The research is the first to analyse the highly fragmented fur sector, looking beyond retail sales at the immense worldwide economic value of fur farming and production – which have historically been very difficult to measure. It revealed that global fur retail sales are estimated at $35.8bn, farming is valued at $7.8bn and total employment in the sector at over one million.

Mark Oaten, CEO of International Fur Federation, commented:

“This study demonstrates the unquestionable value the fur trade brings to the global economy. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions the business can generate, but the truth is that the fur trade is an economic cornerstone in Europe and beyond. Much of the fashion and increasingly the soft furnishings world relies on fur – and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.”

While the figures look impressive the morals of using animal products and in particular fur has caused outrage amongst ethical rights organisations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). A PETA spokesperson commented:

“The proponents of the slave trade and child labour also used to try to justify their abuses by arguing that they make money, and the fur industry’s making the same pathetic attempt. No matter what the industry has to say for itself, ripping the fur from animals who did not want to die just for a coat can never be defensible. The fur industry is built on killing beautiful animals through gassing, electrocution, stomping on their heads and other cruel methods, and so it has had to rely on tricks such as dyeing fur, sneaking it into collars and cuffs and giving it away to designers and students in order to promote it.”

 

 

 




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