From the editors

On your screen you have the first issue of European Fur Farming Today, the e-zine of the European Fur Breeders Association. European agriculture and fur animal breeding as part of this are currently central themes in a debate about their contribution to a sustainable society.

European fur animal breeders consider it a major responsibility to participate fully in this debate and contribute creative and considered thinking wherever necessary. So are the results of various forms of welfare studies made available to the situations in other animal breeding environments.

European Fur Farming Today is therefore intended for all who contribute or have contributed to this dynamic process, from politicians to consumers. A concise and current electronic magazine is one of the best ways to properly inform interested parties. For this reason there is no fixed publication date and the reader can thus always count on a magazine with relevant up-to-date news. European Fur Farming Today is sent automatically to all who have registered via efbanet.com; and is also available on the website.

The editorial staff welcomes your remarks and reactions, also in the form of letters to the 'your email' column, to be published in the coming issue.

In this first issue the Chairman of EFBA introduces himself and the organisation.

	Dutchman Wim Verhagen has chaired EFBA for the last two years. In combination with his position as General Secretary of the Dutch Fur Breeders Association he works long hours and travels frequently and widely. European Fur Farming Today asked him about his job. A small country providing Europe's chairperson, is that special? "No, I don't think so. First of all, the Netherlands is not small when one looks at the country's share in total world production; it occupies third place after Denmark and …secondly, the European fur animal breeding is a relatively small but close-knit group.
Members are indeed spread over Europe, but they understand the significance of combined forces only too well. Fur animal breeders speak with one voice in Europe. So in that sense it is less important where the chairman comes from."

Fur animal breeders speak with one voice you say - would that be the voice of the chairman? "Of course, as chairman you have to present policy all the time. But it is the member states that determine this policy. Openness, transparency and progress represent the basic philosophy. This applies for managers in the office, but also for the breeders themselves. Nothing is more convincing than a fur animal breeder himself talking about his passion and his business."

Does European Fur Farming Today align itself with that policy?
"Within the scope of an open and honest discussion about European fur animal breeding it is essential that everyone interested in our sector, whether this interest is of a professional or a personal nature, has access to current information about the state of affairs in the industry. The policy for coming years must of course be clear. It does not matter whether you, wherever you happen to be in Europe, are a politician, a journalist or just a concerned consumer. You want to know what is going on and develop a personal opinion in a responsible way. We want to help here with the provision of information about European fur animal breeding."

What are the main tasks of EFBA?
"The EFBA seeks to ensure excellent cooperation and coordination between the various European fur animal breeding associations, and also with the international fur organisation IFTF (International Fur Trade Federation). This cooperation, which for business in the agrarian sector, is very advanced, relates mainly to research, public relations and political lobbying. The sector therefore speaks with one voice on all fronts. Over the coming years the EFBA will invest best efforts to make sure that each European citizen, regardless of the country he lives in, retains the free choice to breed fur animals in his own land. But, for the animals' sake and in view of fair competition, the EFBA is of the opinion that this should take place consistently."

EFBA argues for European legislation. Why is that?
"In the future, European legislation should ensure that fur animals are all bred in the same ethical and welfare-friendly manner in all European countries. Conditions will be set on animal accommodation (living surface) care, supervision and management. This is already the case in some countries. From my position as general secretary of the NFE I can tell you that the Netherlands is taking it a step further. For the animals this often means more space. The Council of Europe has already made recommendations and European legislation is expected to become fact in the coming year."

How do you see the future of European fur animal breeding?

"At the moment fur is in fashion and people are becoming ever more interested. Prominent fashion magazines throughout the world allocate many pages to it. New processing techniques are making sure the fur market is growing fast. Fur animal breeding, a healthy agrarian sector without any form of subsidy, is therefore heading for a good future. I am convinced of that. Researchers in various countries are now working on an advisory report on future legislation at the European level. In addition to this, on the request of the Council of Europe, several studies have been carried out on the biological needs of mink. In discussions about wellbeing and ethics, fur animal breeders have always been far ahead. Scientists have confirmed the wellbeing of the mink as acceptable."

"Fur animal breeding is, rightly, losing more and more of its exceptional position within animal farming and is becoming part of a wide discussion about animal wellbeing in general. Current discussions will therefore not lead to a selective ban on keeping some animals; it will be applied much more widely. It is the way in which animals are kept rather than the purpose for which they are kept, that will lead this discussion. This is also for the sake of the animals themselves."

If politicians don't thwart you, could the market?
"I mentioned that fur is currently fashionable. Today it is the consumer who primarily determines what products will be manufactured, of course under certain conditions. The consumer is becoming ever more critical about the origin of the products they buy and we try to respond to this with openness. Successfully, as it happens; fur can expect an increasing role in the world of fashion. Almost all international top designers and better brands are using it. They are increasingly combining fur with traditional fabrics like wool, silk and leather to create completely new clothing concepts. With a low barrier to purchase, yet with unique appearance. This development has turned ladies' specialist shops into the most important sales channel. Consumers are not being shy and consciously choosing for fur."

Do you plan to be chairman for a long time?
"That, of course, is not up to me. Personally I have to say it's a great and growing challenge. After all, you can achieve more when working together. I am convinced, and with me all EFBA members, that we can also achieve more with healthy internal criticism. Every country has its own special culture and we must try to balance our affairs. What are the problems within Europe and how can we solve them to meet society's expectations? We must learn from each other. Every country sees matters somewhat from a different angle, but the common interest is clear to everyone. Fur animals have been bred as agricultural animals for more than 120 years. Their breeding in this day and age has developed fully and will continue to do so. That is our future for the years to come."

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