Fall news : Fur ban, bio-fabrication and new lies from the fur lobby

This fall, the conversation around fur is taking a new turn : from ban on the sales of fur products being implemented in California to the launch of a new type of faux fur by Stella McCartney and another lie from the self-claimed « sustainable » fur factory farming industry, (two very antithetical concepts) let’s review the recent events linked to fur and faux fur.

California bans the sale of animal-fur

Nature lovers are celebrating the passing of legislation sponsored by Assembly woman Laura Friedman – AB 44. The bill signed by governor Gavin Newsom will ban the sales of new animal-fur products in the entire state of California. This ambitious and modern bill is also a package of other important legislations in relation with the protection of wild animals or animals held in captivity . California, the 5th largest economy in the world, has always been a progressive state and is now a place with some of the strongest environmental protection acts. There is no doubt this bill will contribute to send a positive message to the fashion industry.

Assembly woman Laura friedman declared whille introducing the bill

Given the availability of so many different options for warm and fashionable fabrics we will not continue to be complicit in unnecessary cruelty

Religious items are not concerned by the bill.

KOBA is praised by medias

More than ever, faux fur is leading the way into the future of fashion with advanced technology.

The KOBA bio-based faux fur made with the Sorona Technology and created by ECOPEL has received enthusiastic support from fashion medias. VOGUE in 5 different articles – Fashion Network – ELLE in its printed edition and many more textile medias have praised this innovation. KOBA is clearly redifining the debate around fur.

Classic faux fur is already more sustainable than animal-based fur. With bio fabrictation faux is becoming even more eco-friendly with a lower impact than virgin polyester.

New developments of KOBA are being created by ECOPEL while Stella McCartney will launch her line of KOBA faux fur in 2020. We can’t wait !

Welfur : a new lie from the fur lobby

The welfur program created by the fur lobby is supposed to be the world's most advanced animal welfare program for « fur animals ». But in reality, not much will change for the animals as you can see in page 85 fo the “mink protocol” :

The size of the cages remains the same before or after farms get their Welfur certification. The program is an indigestible amount of formulas spread on more than 300 pages combined that no designer will ever read. A marketing strategy that takes lowest common denominators as a gold standard (absence of prolonged hunger – absence of prolonged thrist, etc).

But more disturbing is the absence of independence of the program. Among the organisations that created this program, you’ll find INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) a french organisation dedicated to study animals and improve their productivity. Three decades ago, INRA created its own animal variety of rabbit raised for fur under the brand ORYLAG. Fur is a very profitable business for INRA : The organisation receives profits for each single rabbit fur sold. The conflicts of interest is plain obvious. Welfur is created by organisations that benefits from fur factory farming.