Fur industry in Kastoria
The fur industry is an important economic activity in Kastoria, Greece. The art processing of fur and the trade in species production developed during the Byzantine period and from then till today the region of Kastoria evolved and became the focus of global concern in the field of fur and unique processing center in Europe. The development of the fur and the flourishing of trade in manufactures, resulted from the 19th century a significant number of local residents to travel around the world and create a multitude of economically prosperous communities. Today in almost all major  cities like New York, Paris, Munich, Leipzig, Germany, Spain and Italy, and elsewhere, there Kastorians that supply the global market with beautiful samples of the fur art and technique. The region of Kastoria as one of the major global processing centers of production and marketing of fur is one of the most important sectors of Greek foreign trade and the national economy. History. The processing of Fur in Kastoria estimated that begins earlier than the 14th century when the city provided the ermine pelts for the lining of the robes of the Byzantine courtiers. From the 16th century onwards, growing  demand for fur and a longer fur was widespread not only for protection from the cold but also as social promotion component. The furriers Greeks begin to import raw materials from abroad. Early traders settled in Russia and Germany. In the 18th century fur longer conquer the whole world. In 1894 it was an elegance sign since by then the processing was done manually. First introducing the stapling of cuttings technique in Kastoria, the industry of the fur started to industrialize. After Germany's division at the end of World War II, the fur center moved from Leipzig to Frankfurt . By the end of the World War II, the industry has been a great development thanks to the right technique and artistry of Kastorian furriers, making the region the main international fur processing center. During the Greek Civil War in the late 1940s, thousands of Kastorians migrated to the United States to take the place of aging Jewish immigrants who had formed the core of New York furriers. In 1984, 25,000 Kastorians were working and living in the area of New York, and 10,000 in Frankfurt. Today the branch of fur ensure the responsible use of a renewable natural source  raw materials. Not infect and does not disturb the ecological system as the raw material comes from farms rigorous standards fully respecting international norms established for ecosystem management. The industry maintains traditional forms of processing. The secrets of the art of fur inherited from generation to generation resulting in the modern evolution of the industry to be completed for not moving away from the tradition, so that the production maintains the specificity of that makes her stand out in the international market. Therefore, each fur is unique and is the creator and those who wear a work of high quality  and technique. Production. Fur Goods Process Environmental concerns. The environmental movement appeared in Europe in the decade 1970-80 and created many problems in the fur industry. Eco fur characterized oldest synthetic fur. After strong protests actors Fur, issued market regulation which prohibits synthetic furs to be called ecological, since the oil-products can not be called ecological. So as ecological fur can only characterize the natural fur, because it comes from nature itself and is assimilated by it, in contrast with the synthetic fur that burden and pollutes the environment. Environmentalists and after meetings and discussions with operators of  fur convinced that eventually Kastorians not "opponents" of animals and of nature itself. Then the animal lovers were those who took "action" in business of Kastoria. Kastorians furriers characterize the movement as anti-fur and not ecological, because they believe that the motives of those who fought the fur was not so much love for animals and nature, but serve the interests of those who wanted to promote other clothing and not fur.