On Wednesday 19th January the Government bill that seeks to outlaw fur farming in Britain receives its second reading in the House of Commons. However, according to Richard North , that assumption is flawed. Indeed, a survey of academic research on the subject suggests that in terms of animal welfare, Mink are amongst the best cared for of any intensively farmed animal. Farming fur is morally wrong.
Some people believe that fur farming is morally wrong.
Others, however, disagree. Many of today's leading fashion designers, for example, clearly see fur farming as morally acceptable, as do their clients. Moreover, worldwide demand for fur is enormous, with demand for mink averaging nearly 30 million pelts per year since 1980. Just because an activity is considered morally wrong by some does not justify a ban on that activity. In a pluralistic society such as Britain's, Parliament should encourage toleration, subject to the caveat that people are not harmed.