Over 400 of the biggest names from film, television, theater, radio, sports, literature and music have united in support of a ban on fur farming in Ireland.
In a major boost to the campaign, which will increase pressure on the government to do the right thing, all have signed a petition stating, “I’m calling for a ban on fur farming in Ireland.” The petition is to be delivered to Michael Creed, Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture.
The list of high-profile personalities, gathered by Irish actor Rachel Pilkington, who currently plays Jane Black in Irish television series Fair City, includes Oscar-nominated actors Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird), Ruth Negga and Stephen Rea, Oscar-nominated director Lenny Abrahamson (Room), and Emmy award-winning director Emer Reynolds (The Farthest).
Also included in the supporters of the ban are Olympic medalist Sonia O’Sullivan, former international rugby player Alan Quinlan, musicians Sharon Shannon, Damien Dempsey, Mundy, Don Mescall, Mary Coughlan, Josh Gray and Brian Kennedy, author Cathy Kelly, comedians Deirdre O’Kane and PJ Gallagher and many, many more.
Mink in a cage on a fur farm. Image credit TheAnimalDay.org, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Speaking out against the cruelty of fur farming, Rachel Pilkington commented, “The practice of fur farming violates most of the ‘five freedoms’ which underpin animal welfare best practices. From the moment they are born into captivity, the intrinsic value of these sentient beings fails to be recognized. By nature, mink are semi-aquatic and solitary mammals who are denied all basic rights to expression, dignity and freedom by being confined to small cages (in groups) for the duration of their lives. They exhibit many stereotypical behaviors synonymous with stress, until they are finally dragged from their cages in terror and forced into darkened, overcrowded gassing boxes to be poisoned to death by carbon monoxide gas. No amendments to the government’s current ‘code of practice’ will ever eradicate or alleviate the suffering of these animals. No amendments will ever excuse or justify it as a farming practice. Anyone who even attempts to validate such cruelty on the grounds of economic profit or gain demonstrates a rather shameful level of emotional detachment.”
A big thank you to Rachel and the 400 who have signed the petition. Please join them in calling for a ban on fur farming.
Sign the petition to ban fur farming in Ireland here.
Featured image: mink in a cage on a fur farm. Image credit Dzīvnieku brīvība, CC BY-SA 3.0.
