Poland Phases Out Fur Farms Over Eight Years — A Major Blow To The Global Fur Trade

Poland Moves To Phase Out Fur Farming

Poland, long one of the world’s largest producers of fur, has enacted a law to phase out fur farms over the next eight years — a development that will reverberate through the global fur industry.

Scale And Methods

In 2023 Polish fur farms killed roughly three million animals — including foxes, minks, raccoon dogs and chinchillas — accounting for about one in seven animals in the global fur trade. Investigations and reporting have documented animals confined for months in cramped, wire-bottom cages and then killed using methods such as carbon dioxide gassing or electrocution. Their pelts are processed and exported to clothing manufacturers and fashion houses worldwide.

What Led To The Ban

The ban caps decades of campaigning by animal-welfare groups. Investigations beginning in 2012 by organizations such as Otwarte Klatki ("Open Cages") and Viva! Poland exposed widespread welfare abuses: overcrowded and filthy enclosures, injured animals, carcasses left in cages, maggot infestations, and signs of extreme stress. Those revelations, sustained protests, retailer pressure and shifting consumer demand combined to build political momentum.

"This is a decision that Poles have awaited for many years," said a Polish official in a video posted on social media, calling the move a reflection of compassion and respect for living creatures.

Economic And Political Context

The global market for fur has contracted sharply in recent years: estimates show the number of animals farmed for fur fell from roughly 140 million in 2014 to about 20.5 million in 2024. Declining demand in major markets and pressure from fashion brands and retailers weakened the economic case for farming. Poland’s law includes compensation and severance measures for workers and owners, with larger payments for operators who close earlier in the phase-out period.

Campaigning, Local Opposition, And Coalitions

Poland’s ban — the result of activists’ seventh attempt in the national parliament — highlights the power of coalition-building. Rural communities near large farms have also been vocal opponents of the industry, citing unbearable odors, lower quality of life and falling property values. Activists and local residents staged roughly 180 protests in the last decade, according to campaigners.

Broader Implications

Poland’s decision could strengthen calls for an EU-wide ban. In 2023 animal-welfare groups collected around 1.5 million EU signatures supporting continent-wide legislation, prompting the European Commission to formally consider the proposal. Some politicians in other member states have resisted an EU ban, but a national ban from one of Europe’s largest producers may shift the political calculus.

Not all stakeholders welcomed the move: representatives from the International Fur Federation described the decision as disappointing and noted that fur farming remains active in several European countries and is still used by some top fashion brands.

Signs Of Industry Change

The phase-out in Poland follows other recent developments that suggest a broader industry shift: major fashion events and brands are increasingly banning fur, and public opinion in many countries has moved decisively against fur farming.

What Comes Next: The law sets an eight-year timeline for closure and includes support measures for workers and owners. Its full impact will depend on how quickly farms close and how other EU members respond to renewed pressure for comprehensive legislation.