Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production
Published date:
Disclaimer
- This plain language summary (PLS) is a simplified communication of EFSA’s Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production. The full EFSA opinion can be found here.
- The purpose of the PLS is to enhance transparency and inform interested parties on EFSA’s work on the topic using simplified language to present a summary of the main findings.
Background to the scientific opinion
- This scientific opinion addresses the welfare of five species kept for fur production: American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla.
- Currently, the welfare of animals kept for fur production in the EU is regulated by the general animal protection Directive 98/58/EC. There is no specific EU legislation on fur animal farming, except the 1999 Council of Europe Recommendation concerning fur animals.
What was EFSA asked to do?
The European Commission (EC) asked EFSA for an independent scientific opinion on the welfare of animals raised for fur in the EU, specifically to:
- identify the most relevant welfare consequences (WCs) and associated hazards for each of the species mentioned above;
- assess whether these WCs can be prevented or significantly reduced under current farming conditions.
This request followed an EC commitment to respond to the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) ’Fur Free Europe‘, which calls for a ban on fur farming and the sale of fur products in the EU.
How did EFSA carry out this work (and what data were used)?
In responding to the request, EFSA:
- produced a technical report describing the biology of the species as well as the husbandry systems and farming practices used to keep fur animals;
- based on the technical report and its own guidelines for animal welfare risk assessments, identified the most relevant WCs for each species, considering estimated severity, duration and frequency during the various life stages;
- explored ways to prevent or significantly reduce these WCs within the current system, focusing on the dimensions and features of the cages used in fur production.
To achieve this, EFSA collected data from:
- peer-reviewed scientific literature published up to early 2025;
- four public calls for evidence;
- technical hearings with experts and interested groups;
- field visits.
What were the outcomes and their implications?
The most important WCs identified by EFSA, both overall and for each species, are listed below.
Key findings on fur animal welfare
- For all five species, the most relevant WCs relate to the size and barren conditions of the cages used in current fur production. These restrict the animals’ movement and prevent them from foraging and exploring. They can also lead to sensory understimulation or overstimulation (e.g. if there is no nest box or shelter for the animal to hide or isolate when necessary).
- Most of these negative WCs cannot be significantly reduced in the current fur production system because the limited size of cages also prevents adding stimulating features. Examples include stimuli to elicit foraging and exploration, a nest box or place to hide, or the provision of open water, depending on the species.
- WCs that can be significantly reduced or prevented within the current fur production system include those associated with inadequate feed and nutrition. These can be reduced for all five species by changing how their food is provided, offering chewable items, such as bones for foxes or hay for chinchillas, and ensuring that feed is healthy and balanced.
Species-specific concerns
- American mink kept in groups of more than two animals may sustain injuries from fighting. This can be reduced by housing young mink in different-sex pairs until late autumn, then housing them alone. Additionally, this WC can be improved by providing more space and adding stimulating features (objects or stimuli to elicit exploration and foraging behaviour, access to open water, etc.) to their cages.
- Arctic foxes, red foxes and raccoon dogs often experience leg and paw problems, which may be significantly reduced through selective breeding, weight management, increasing space and offering a choice of different flooring types.
- Red foxes can suffer from group stress when being kept close to their cage neighbours. It is unknown whether providing a nest box or retreat is enough to markedly reduce this WC.
- Raccoon dogs likely experience sensory overstimulation in the current system. Solutions to reduce this include providing them with nest boxes throughout the year, regularly cleaning up manure, as well as careful and limited handling.
- Chinchillas need to clean their fur and become stressed when they feel threatened, such as when a human is nearby. This can be minimised by allowing them to sand bath daily and providing a shelter for hiding.
What were the limitations/uncertainties?
Little or no information on alternative enclosures was available because none are currently in use for fur production. In addition, there is limited knowledge about raccoon dogs and chinchillas in general. This lack of information limited EFSA’s ability to suggest improvements in animal welfare regarding new and different farming systems.
What are the key conclusions?
- Across the species studied, limited improvements in animal welfare can be achieved in the current system.
- To significantly reduce WCs, the current cage system needs to be changed to enclosures that offer more space and stimulating environments. This would significantly improve the welfare of these species, facilitating the animals’ ability to meet their needs, such as moving around, foraging and exploring.
- Further knowledge is needed to quantify the impact of the proposed measures to considerably improve the welfare.
Reference
Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production.