Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002013/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sigrid Friis (Renew), Maria Noichl (S&D), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Günther Sidl (S&D), Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE), Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), Maria Zacharia (NI), Anna Strolenberg (Verts/ALE)
Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes[1] explicitly includes animals bred for fur production. Articles 3 and 4, along with the relevant provisions in the Annex, set out obligations that apply to mink farming.
In 2023, 24 scientists addressed an open letter to the Commission, presenting assessments such as:
‘There is no doubt that the practice of farming animals for fur breaches the most fundamental principles of animal welfare. It has never been possible to design a farming system in line with the species-specific needs of animals bred for their fur.’
‘The evidence is clear that no more research is needed to confirm that fur farming and animal welfare cannot go hand in hand.’
In light of this, we ask the Commission:
- 1.Will the Commission provide a legal analysis as to whether the practice of keeping mink in small wire-mesh cages is compatible with the requirements set out in the Directive?
- 2.Is the Commission legally obliged to ensure full compliance with this Directive, and does it consider itself committed to strengthening enforcement of EU legislation, particularly in view of the Commission President’s mission letters to the current Commissioners?
Submitted: 20.5.2025
- [1] OJ L 221, 8.8.1998, p. 23, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1998/58/oj.