BLINKERED BRITAIN: UK FASHION SHOWING CHRONIC INDIFFERENCE TO ANIMAL SUFFERING
Stats Prove 169% Growth In Fur Industry *

With so many faux options available designers have increased the use of real fur in their collections. This is evident with many high profile designers showing fur at AW10 Fashion Weeks. Fur on the catwalks creates controversy and publicity thereby creating demand and increasing sales. The UK consumer is oblivious to the source of fur, thinking animals are bred humanely in certified farms in Europe. The reality is far from it as highlighted in the new undercover report from Animal Defenders International, which dispels this myth.

The rising trend in fur has fuelled UK demand with over 40% of fox fur being sourced from Finland. Animal Defenders International (ADI) has launched the undercover report titled ';Bloody Harvest’ (with video and photographic evidence) revealing the truth about the horrific conditions and cruelty at these certified farms in Finland.

To stop the rise in for fur for fashion, every individual has a social and ethical responsibility to FUR STOP and in doing so, cease the demand for fur production.

Jan Creamer, ADI Chief Executive says, "It is a matter of taking responsibility for the way the fur products are produced – given the circumstances of intensive farming, restriction of space, and factory-like production of babies, it is simply not possible for the farmed fur industry to provide these animals with humane conditions. People who wear fur must take responsibility for the suffering it causes."


FUR STATS
•169% growth in fur sales*

•Retail Fur sales worldwide totaled US$13 billion in 2008

•An increase in fur for fashions sake means now over 400 designers use fur in their collections
BLOODY HARVEST from Animal Defenders International

•4 MILLION cubs are killed per year for their pelts

•Lifespan of mink and fox bred for fur is ONLY 8 MONTHS

•Babies born without the prerequisite pelt quality ARE KILLED IMMEDIATELY

•Pelts of up to 15-20 foxes or 60-80 mink are required to make ONE fur coat.

•Wild foxes live up to 15 years and mink live up to 10 years

Notes to Editors
ADI Chief Executive - Jan Creamer available for comment

Celebrity Supporters - Twiggy, Stella McCartney, Mary McCartney, Brian Blessed, Meg Mathews, Ricky Gervais, Samantha Janus, and Belinda Carlisle.
Photography and video footage available

Sources
*Growth from 1999 to 2009 - Items of clothing, clothing accessories and other fur-skin articles. uktradeinfo.com, part of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) responsible for producing trade statistics. These statistics record the movement of visible goods between the UK and both EU and non-EU countries.
** www.britishfur.co.uk

For further information please contact: ADI Press Office at Brandnation on 0207 940 7172 adi@brandnation.co.uk