Animal welfare minister wants ban on fur farming by end of year
Ben Weyts said he will present the government with a plan to outlaw mink fur farms by the end of 2017
Sooner rather than later
In March, the Council of State overturned the government’s decision not to allow a fur farm in Beveren-Waas, East Flanders, to expand operations from 16,200 to 27,000 animals. Environment minister Joke Schauvliege refused to approve the expansion because of the plans to implement the ban, but the Council found the reasoning insufficient.
According to independent MP Hermes Sanctorum, who questioned Weyts in the parliament, the Council’s ruling could result in the government being required to approve any expansion put forth by fur farms, making it more difficult to outlaw them in the future. Sanctorum said the ban needs to come sooner rather than later.
Weyts said it is necessary to come up with a strategy that would stand up to legal scrutiny. He also said it would be necessary to come up with additional resources to carry out the ban.
“This is a difficult matter. We are wrestling with a number of different scenarios, each with its own price tag and its own – sometimes debatable – legal basis,” he said. “We are trying to find a solution, and I hope to bring this issue to the government by the end of the year.”
Photo: Von Vadeve/Wikimedia
