The recently published EU report on fur farming, that was adopted in December 2001 by EU's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare, has become more political than scientific. That is the opinion of six of the original drafting scientists, who this week have sent an official protest letter to the European Commission.

After having noticed huge differences to their one and a half years of hard work, the six leading fur animal welfare scientists, have asked the Scientific Committee to withdraw the final report, as they cannot support it as it stands.

With their protest, the six scientists confirm that positive statements on animal welfare have been removed from the draft, and replaced by negative assumptions without scientific references.

Whereas for example the draft report states that "welfare on mink farms is reasonably good", the EU report contains a range of negative statements, which assume a less positive present situation on European fur farms.

Wim Verhagen, chairman of EFBA (The European Fur Breeders' Association), said "European fur farmers are in the vanguard of scientific research on animal welfare. We have always embraced new scientific evidence that can improve our day to day practices in the interest of both the animals and the fur farmers, and will continue to do so. As long as we can agree with the European Commission on that, I am confident about the future. We always have been and will continue to be open for dialogue.

Issued on behalf of the European Fur Breeders Association, Brussels, 7th of January 2002.