Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed a law that completely bans fur farming in the country, but vetoed amendments banning the keeping of dogs on chains.
Poland abandons fur production: details
As noted by PAP, the adopted law establishes an absolute ban on breeding fur animals for the purpose of obtaining fur, with the exception of rabbits. Now all fur farms must cease operations by the end of 2033.
The state has provided compensation for farm owners who close their businesses ahead of schedule. The amount of compensation will depend on the farm’s average annual income and the date of cessation of operations. Employees who lose their jobs due to the cessation of operations will also receive severance pay of up to 12 months’ salary.
At the same time, in case of violation of the law, the court will be able to prohibit the ownership of any animals for a period of one to five years.
Veto on the ban on keeping dogs on chains in Poland
The second bill, which proposed:
- banning the keeping of dogs on chains at home,
- establishing minimum sizes and requirements for enclosures,
- requiring the insulation of outdoor kennels,
- ensuring access to natural lighting and ventilation
— was not signed by the president.
He stated that the intention to protect animals is “correct,” but the proposed regulations, in his opinion, are “poorly written” and could create difficulties for farms and rural households. He promised to submit an alternative bill, which, according to him, would allow “dogs to be released into the wild, truly improve the lives of animals, but not impose restrictive and unrealistic obligations on people.”
UAnimals’ position
Although UAnimals’ main focus today is on rescuing animals suffering from war, we continue to advocate for pan-European standards of humanity.
Poland’s rejection of fur farms is an important step for all of Europe and a signal that the exploitation of animals for clothing is becoming a thing of the past.
There has also been progress in Ukraine: thanks to negotiations with UAnimals, more than 30 Ukrainian designers have completely abandoned the use of natural fur. This decision is moving the industry forward and shaping a new ethical norm.
We expect that a ban on keeping dogs on chains will soon be adopted in both Poland and Ukraine. In our opinion, this is a fundamental change that should become part of modern humane legislation.
Photo: PAP/Lech Muszyński
