London, 30 August 2023 – New photos reveal poor biosecurity measures and horrible conditions on Finnish fur farms, where animals were being killed over a bird flu outbreak.

On the images, collected by Finnish animal protection NGO Oikeutta eläimille, fur farm employees can be seen with masks resting on their chin while feeding animals and wearing open protective clothing without masks while working near the animal enclosures. The photos also show dead and cannibalized animals left in small, desolate cages and other animals suffering in agony.

Earlier this month Finnish authorities stated that they will now have to cull 120,000 animals due to the ongoing outbreak of Highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on 25 farms across the country.

FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation, said that the images were “deeply disturbing and distressing”.

Thomas Pietsch, FOUR PAWS Head of Wild Animals in Entertainment and Textiles, said, “Public health and animal wellbeing are inextricably interlinked as we have seen with COVID-19. These photos are deeply disturbing and distressing on many levels, from the treatment of animals to the biosecurity protocols not being enforced.”

The uncontrolled spread of the virus among mink and foxes highlights the pandemic potential of fur farming and the urgent need for action at the European level.

Pietsch added, “Europe is having severe ongoing outbreaks of bird flu. This serious matter needs a global, aligned response to tackle the zoonotic risks before a more dangerous and highly contagious variant develops. An EU wide ban must be implemented on fur farming. We cannot compromise the wellbeing of animals for a fashion accessory.

Scientific studies have shown that fur farming poses high risks for future viral pandemics, which strongly urge governments to also consider the mounting evidence suggesting that fur farming, particularly mink, be eliminated in the interest of pandemic preparedness.

With 2023 marking 20 years since the UK banned fur farming, the evidence of this inhumane and cruel practice is clear to consumers and demanding a #FurFreeBritain can help bring an end to fur farming globally, ensure the health and welfare of animals, and avoid disease spreading and jumping from species to species.

ENDS

BACKGROUND

Link to photographs: https://four-paws.canto.global/b/GTIPN
© Copyright to Oikeutta eläimille