The Sejm passed an amendment to the Animal Protection Act, introducing a ban on fur farming in Poland. 339 MPs voted in favour of the legislation, 78 were against and 19 abstained. The new regulations provide for an eight-year transitional period and a compensation scheme for breeders.
The Sejm adopted by a large majority an amendment to the Animal Protection Act, introducing a ban on fur farming. Under the law, farms are to be phased out over eight years. Financial compensation is provided for entrepreneurs who decide to close the farms before this deadline. The highest compensation, amounting to up to 25 per cent of the average revenue from 2020-2024, will be given to those who close by 1 January 2027. In subsequent years, the amount of benefits will decrease.
The draft amendment was supported by the clubs of the Civic Coalition, the Left, Poland 2050 and the Polish People’s Party. The work in the extraordinary committee led to a compromise that takes into account the demands of various groups. Ewa Szymanowska MEP from Poland 2050 emphasised that fur has ceased to be an everyday product and that its production is associated with animal suffering.
In the PSL, where there had previously been doubts, support for the project was gained by the introduction of a long transition period and the possibility of converting breeding into another activity. In the Law and Justice Party, positions were divided. MEP Marek Suski assessed that the passing of the bill was a landmark moment, expressing the sensitivity of Poles towards animals. However, opposing it was, among others, the former Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus, who argued that restricting the industry would harm agriculture.
Strong opposition to the ban was expressed by the Confederation. Krzysztof Bosak assessed that fur farming is a profitable branch of the economy and that abandoning it would weaken the position of Polish producers on the international market.
Data from the Open Cages Association shows that the number of fur farms in Poland has decreased from 810 in 2015 to 209 in 2024. Exports have also dropped significantly, from over 10 million pelts in 2015 to around 1.8 million in 2024. Despite this, Poland still remains the second largest fur producer in the world.
The first draft of a ban on fur farming appeared in 2020 as part of the so-called ‘Five for Animals’. At that time, however, the law did not enter into force due to political disputes and protests by farmers. The current amendment was supported by the majority of parliamentary clubs.
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