FACT-CHECKING THE FUR LOBBY'S BIODEGRADABILITY CLAIMS

The fur industry has spent a lot of time and money trying to steer the conversation around fur away from the public’s increasing concerns about animal cruelty to feigned concerns over plastic.

In previous posts we’ve shared The Intercept exposing how the fur industry paid people to testify in hearings, we’ve shared The Daily News reporting on the industry instructing people to break the law by lying about their residency and to “annoy” city council members. Yet one of the fur industry’s most prevalent points that seems to go uncontested is the claim that fur is “natural” and “biodegradable”.

So what is the reality of this claim?

First, it’s significant to know that in Paris, the French Board of Advertising Ethics (JDP) ruled the claim of biodegradability (among other greenwashing) was “not supported by data”, “inconsistent”, “baseless”, and “misleading”. Even after the International Fur Federation contested the ruling and asked for a revision, the JDP upheld the ruling.

Here are some helpful facts to know about fur and the claim of biodegradability:

  • In regard to the biodegradability aspect of “real” fur promoted by the International Fur Federation, the elements used to support this claim, based on a review of a scientific report provided by the federation itself, are not supported by the data.

  • In their study, only a modest fraction of the “real” furs used for the experiment did biodegrade (from 6.6% to 25.8%) significantly the “real” fur dyed with chemicals almost didn’t biodegrade at all. The claim is inconsistent. (you can read the full fur-industry-funded study here)

  • Collection systems for composting old fur coats are nonexistent. Meanwhile, there are systems like SMARTFUR in place that make most faux-furs recyclable into new garments or even fuel.

  • Even if a system existed to compost fur, or you threw an old mink or fox fur into your backyard compost pile, it could negatively impact an otherwise healthy composting ecosystem due to the presence of formaldehyde, hexavalent chrome, alkylphenol ethoxylates, azo dyes, chlorinated phenols (PCPs), and other petrochemical components used to process the pelts.

  • Lastly, it’s important to note that the fur industry continues to use synthetics in shell fabrics, linings, labels, threads, zipper tape, interlinings and fusible, garment bags, plastic hangers and more. If synthetics and biodegradability were genuine concerns for them, these things they already have control over would be addressed.

The biodegradability claims of the fur industry are good for marketing but are of no use to an actual plan for a sustainable fashion system. Any notion of fur being “natural” or “biodegradable” is pure greenwashing.

Breaking News: Fur industry caught using unethical lobbying tactics to oppose fur sales ban bill

Voters for Animal Rights calls on fur industry to stop directing non-NYC residents to lie to Council Members

NEW YORK CITY — An audio recording obtained by Voters for Animal Rights catches organizers for the fur industry directing non-NYC residents to use false addresses when calling into Council Members offices in opposition to the fur sales ban bill. Additionally, the audio recording documents a coordinated effort to have non-constituents “jam up” the phone line of Council Members to give the illusion of opposition.

The Daily News reported, “Two people with FurNYC, which reps 130 fur retailers and manufacturers in the city, told attendees at a May 22 meeting for the group that they should lie about their residency and “annoy” Council members as part of efforts to kill legislation that would outlaw pelt sales. Those present were also told to have their friends and family call Council members – whether or not they lived in the five boroughs.”

“The fur industry knows that 75% of New York City voters support a fur sales ban and is now resorting to lying to Council Members to defeat this bill. This unethical Trump-like tactic is a telltale sign that they are on the wrong side of history.” Said Matthew Dominguez, Political Director for Voters for Animal Rights. “Directing non-NYC residents to lie to Council Members about being residents by giving false address is disgraceful and threatens our democracy which relies on elected officials hearing from those they represent not out-of-state frauds.”

“We are disgusted by the tactics the fur industry has resorted to.” Said Allie Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights. “But what do you expect from an industry that abuses millions of animals each year for profit and has been engaging in unethical lobbying tactics for months?”

About the fur industry:

Worldwide, over 100 million animals are abused and killed for their fur every year. Whether raised on fur-farms in tiny wire cages or trapped from the wild with cruel leg-hold traps, fur-bearing animals -- including foxes, coyotes, wolves, otters, dogs, cats, and raccoon dogs -- have unimaginable cruelty inflicted upon them. Designers, retailers, and cities around the world are joining together in banning the sale of fur and shutting down fur farms due to the cruelties involved. In the past 18 months, Prada, Chanel, Phillip Lim, Jean Paul Gaultier, Coach, Burberry, Gucci, Michael Kors, and more, have all banned fur. Here in the US, the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have recently banned the sale and manufacturing of fur, while cities and countries across Europe and Asia are seeking to do the same.

Resources:

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Media Contacts:

Voters for Animal Rights: Matthew Dominguez, 202-853-7331, matt@vfar.org

Voters for Animal Rights’ mission is to help elect candidates who support animal protection, lobby for strong laws to stop animal cruelty, and hold elected officials accountable to humane voters. We work to gain legally enforceable fundamental rights for animals by codifying animal rights into law.

Fur Free NYC is a coalition of over 50 not-for-profit organizations working to ban the sale of fur in New York City.

Breaking News: Prada Group drops cruel animal fur

Voters for Animal Rights applauds Prada Group decision and urges the New York City Council to swiftly pass pending legislation (Intro 1476) that would ban the sale of fur in the City through a newly released video.

NEW YORK CITY — Prada Group – and all its brands – has announced it will no longer use fur in its Spring/Summer 2020 women’s collection. Adding to an already growing number of fashion designers dropping fur over sustainability and ethical concerns. On the heals of this announcement, the Fur Free NYC campaign sent a new video to all 51 New York City council members that details the numerous abuses in the fur industry.

Today’s announcement follows a campaign that began last fall by the Fur Free Alliance (a coalition of more than 50 organizations from over 30 countries). As part of that campaign, thousands of you called, emailed and posted on social media asking Prada to ditch fur. It was after hearing your voices — the voices of consumers — that the Prada Group began working in private with the HSUS on its transition to fur-free. HSUS press release

“The Prada Group is committed to innovation and social responsibility, and our fur-free policy - reached following a positive dialogue with the Fur Free Alliance, in particular with LAV and the Humane Society of the United States - is an extension of that engagement,” said Miuccia Prada. “Focusing on innovative materials will allow the company to explore new boundaries of creative design while meeting the demand for ethical products.”

Allie Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights, said, “Prada Group’s announcement further proves that fur has no place in fashion or a civilized society. We’re proud that New York City is on the verge of adding its name to the growing list of companies and cities that stand against animal abuse by banning the sale of fur.”

 
 

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Media Contacts: Voters for Animal Rights: Matthew Dominguez, 202-853-7331, matt@vfar.org

Voters for Animal Rights’ mission is to help elect candidates who support animal protection, lobby for strong laws to stop animal cruelty, and hold elected officials accountable to humane voters. We work to gain legally enforceable fundamental rights for animals by codifying animal rights into law.

Fur Free NYC is a coalition of over 50 not-for-profit organizations working to ban the sale of fur in New York City.

 

Intro 1476 - A bill to prohibit the sale or offer for sale of fur apparel

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale of fur apparel

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 4 of title 20 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subchapter 13 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER 13

FUR APPAREL

§ 20-699.10 Definitions

§ 20-699.11 Prohibited conduct

§ 20-699.12 Penalties

§ 20-699.13 Injunctive relief

§ 20-699.10 Definitions. For purposes of this subchapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

Commissioner. The term “commissioner” means the commissioner of consumer affairs.

Fur. The term “fur” means any animal skin, in whole or in part, with the hair, fleece or fur fibers attached.

Fur apparel. The term “fur apparel” means any article of clothing or fashion accessory, to be worn on any part of the body, made of fur, in whole or in part.

Used fur apparel. The term “used fur apparel” means any fur apparel that a natural person has acquired for that person’s own use as an article of clothing or fashion accessory.

§ 20-699.11 Prohibited conduct. No person may sell or offer for sale any fur apparel except for used fur apparel or fur apparel made from fur sourced exclusively from used fur apparel.

§ 20-699.12 Penalties. a. Any person that violates section 20-699.11 on or after the first day of May next succeeding the effective date of the local law that added this subchapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500 for that person’s first violation and each additional violation occurring on the same day as the first violation, and not less than $500 nor more than $1,500 for each subsequent violation. Violations shall accrue on a daily basis for each item of prohibited fur apparel that is sold or offered for sale.

b. Any fur apparel offered for sale or any revenue generated from fur apparel sold in violation of section 20-699.11 shall be subject to forfeiture upon notice and judicial determination.

§ 20-699.13 Injunctive relief. In addition to any other relief available by law, the commissioner may seek any relief available under article 63 of the civil practice law and rules in a proceeding against any person alleged to be in violation of any provision of this subchapter.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 90 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of consumer affairs shall take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.   

NC

LS #6888, 7184, 7773

11/21/18