On Thursday 27 November, during a debate in the European Parliament on fur animals, the European Commission announced that it would publish a communication by March based “on our assessment, which will announce our proposed way forward”.
The Commission is assessing the impact of the bans (fur farming and imports into the EU) called for by the ‘Fur Free Europe’ European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) and of alternative measures to improve the welfare of fur animals (see EUROPE 13270/13). In August 2025, it launched a call for evidence to gather the opinions of stakeholders and has received an opinion from EFSA.
“We are obtaining a detailed picture of the mink farming sector and associated industries, both within the EU and in the third countries concerned. We are identifying, collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. We are examining the dimensions of animal welfare, public health, economic, social and environmental impacts. This will enable us to assess the expected impacts of different approaches, in particular bans, as requested in the ECI, or the adoption of specific animal welfare standards for fur animals”, said Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services.
Jessika van Leeuwen (EPP, Dutch) reiterated the need to act with caution: if a decision is made to ban an industry, it is necessary to do so “correctly, with a sufficient transition period and proportionate compensation”. Mink farmers in the Netherlands had to cease their activity immediately and “the compensation received was insufficient”, she explained. “I hope that we can find a fair solution, which is very important both for the welfare of the animals and for the workers who have built up their business over many years”, said Maria Grapini (S&D, Italian).
“Let’s put an end to this barbaric practice from another era”, said Valérie Deloge (EPP, French).
Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxemburgish) noted that 22 Member States had already taken action with bans or phase-outs and said that “this industry remains fundamentally incompatible with animal welfare”. “I urge the Commission to finally ban animal farming in Europe”, she said (see EUROPE 13270/13).
“Let’s show responsibility and turn Europe into a place where fur is a thing of the past”, argued Sebastian Everding (The Left, German). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)