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Brussels, Thursday 27 February, 2003
DUTCH GOVERNMENT FUR FARMING BAN WITHDRAWN
The Dutch government has officially withdrawn the proposed ban on mink farming, the reason given is that its cabinet has "no ethical objections to mink farming" and "does not want to act ahead of any Brussels legislation."
Farmers have had the threat of a ban hanging over their heads for the last four years and have been unable to commit funds or carry out business plans because of this. Husband and wife team, Klaus and Janny Rasmussen, said, "In 1995, we borrowed DFL 3 million from the bank to improve our farm and expand it because we trusted the government and believed what they said. We made the changes they asked for and concentrated on running the business. In the last few years, we have been treading water, waiting to see what would happen. Now we can get on with our business. It has also been unsettling for our staff who can now be more confident about their futures."
Holland is the third largest producer of farmed fur in the world, employing over 1,000 people directly in the industry. Related industries from transport to feed to dressing, dyeing and designing mean that in Europe over 250,000 people are employed in the fur trade with fur sales totalling over Euro 4 billion (latest figures for 2000/2001).
Brussels is looking at future EU-wide legislation, based on scientific evidence. The European Commission has asked all member countries to wait for such legislation before taking any unilateral measures. At the same time, the Commission refers to the Recommendation from the Council of Europe (revised in 1999) as an appropriate base for legislation for fur farming.
For further information please contact
Ms. Kirsten Sejlstrup on +32 2 230 27 05.
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