The politician who led the pioneering ban on fur sales in Hollywood has warned of “underhand tactics” from the fur industry as Britain moved a step closer towards a ban.
California State Assembly member Laura Friedman, who represents Los Angeles and counts “trendsetting” celebs among her constituents, helped to kick cruelty out of the fashion industry.
California, currently battling devastating wildfires, became the first US state to ban the fur trade last year, backed by actresses like Alicia Silverstone and Mena Suvari.
The law changes will come into force in January 2023 and will prohibit the sale and manufacture of new fur products, but will allow second- hand fur to be sold or reused for
sustainability reasons.
There are also exemptions for religious dress and byproducts of the food industry, like shearling from sheep, cow skin and rabbit pelts.
Last week our campaign to stop the sale of fur in the UK, which we are fighting alongside the Humane Society International UK, moved a step closer after environment secretary George Eustice said the Government plans to launch a consultation next year.
But Democrat Laura warned of a battle of “underhand tactics” explaining how students and even a pastor were paid thousands of dollars to attend one of her public hearings into the bill to argue in support of fur, recruited through online adverts.
“They brought an African-American minister from New York City to claim that black culture had a strong connection to fur and this was a racist bill,” she said.
“We later found out the man had been paid nearly £7,000 to attend.”
Laura, who spoke at a parliamentary event last week, said fur should have the same stringent animal welfare rules as food.
She said: “People raise the question of choice – shouldn’t it be up to the individual consumer to decide?
“I’d contend that if you asked every resident of the UK if they wanted a product that was made in a way that respected the living conditions of that animal, they would say yes – and expect that to be a job of the Government.
“They don’t want products coming to market through cruelty.”
The Mirror’s Fur Free Britain campaign is calling for the UK to become the first country to ban imports from an industry that kills more than 100million animals a year worldwide.
- To lend your support go sign our petition at hsi.org/furfreebritain