Environmental impacts of fur farming facts for kids

Fur farming is when animals are raised in special farms just to collect their fur. This fur is then mostly used to make clothes. Long ago, most fur came from hunting wild animals. But today, about 80% of all fur comes from these farms.

Some common animals raised for their fur include minks, raccoons, and foxes. For example, over 30 million mink furs are produced each year in North America and Europe. After the animals are killed, their fur is removed. Then, the fur goes through a process called tanning to preserve it. The rest of the animal's body is then disposed of. Some people believe fur farming can harm the environment by releasing gases and chemicals.

However, some people who support fur farming say it can actually help the environment. They argue it reduces the need to hunt wild animals. They also say it uses resources that can be recycled. People in the fur industry even call their methods "green." They compare it to making fake fur, which uses man-made materials. They say fake fur, made from non-natural resources, can be worse for the environment.

What is Fur Processing?

Fur, whether from wild animals or farms, goes through several steps. First, it is taken off the animal. Then, chemicals are used to preserve it so it doesn't rot. After that, the fur is often sold at special auctions.

Once sold, the fur might be cleaned and dyed to make it ready for clothing. Farmers can also breed animals together to get unique fur colors. Animals on fur farms usually live in cages, either indoors or outside. They are fed special food until they are old enough to be killed. Their bodies are then cleaned of oils and fats, which can be used for other things. Finally, the bodies are frozen and sent away to be burned.

How Fur Farming Affects the Environment

Making fur can cause pollution. When animal bodies are burned, gases like carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are released. These gases can pollute the air.

The process of tanning and preparing the fur also adds to pollution. Chemicals like formaldehyde and chromium are used to stop the fur from decaying. Some of these chemicals are known to be harmful. They can cause skin problems and are even linked to cancer. This is a risk for workers on fur farms and for people who wear fur products.

Animal Waste and Water Pollution

The waste (manure) from farm animals can harm nearby natural areas. It has high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. A study in 2003 found that fur farms in the United States release about 1,000 tons of phosphorus each year. If this waste isn't handled properly, it can damage water and soil.

However, if manure is managed well, it can be treated. This treatment can reduce its nitrogen and phosphorus. Treated manure can then be used as fertilizer on farms. It can also be used in special plants that turn it into energy, like biogas.

Impact on Plants and Water

A study in the Netherlands showed that pine trees near fur farms were affected. The waste from the farms made the soil more acidic. This changed the trees' leaves. Also, too much nitrogen from the waste can get into water. This can reduce the oxygen in the water, harming fish and other water life.

Using fossil fuels for farm power, animal food, and processing fur also adds to pollution. It releases gases and nitrogen into the environment. Another study found that fur farms can add toxic pollutants, like mercury, to freshwater. But how much pollution depends on things like how close the farm is to the water.

To stop fur from rotting, many chemicals are used. The World Bank has even called fur processing one of the worst industries for toxic metal pollution. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined some fur-processing places for causing high pollution. They used chemicals that can cause breathing problems and are possibly linked to cancer.

Is Fur Farming Sustainable?

Both real fur farming and making fake fur can impact the environment. Fur farms use natural fur, while fake fur is made from other materials.

Some fur farms try to be more sustainable. They use animal waste as fuel for the farm. They also use biogas plants to process waste. This means some of the energy used to feed the animals helps create more energy.

However, a study from 1979 found that making a real fur coat uses 20 times more energy than a fake fur coat. Fake fur is made from petrochemicals, which are limited resources. Also, fake fur often takes longer to process than natural fur.

Animal Welfare on Fur Farms

When animals can't act naturally, it can harm them. They might get sick more often, not grow properly, hurt themselves, or behave strangely. There are five main rules, called the Five Freedoms, to check if animals are treated well:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst.
• Freedom from discomfort.
• Freedom from pain, injury, and disease.
• Freedom to act normally.
• Freedom from fear and stress.

In 2009, a group called the European Fur Breeders' Association started a program called "WelFur." They visit fur farms to make sure these rules are followed. Their goal is to ensure animals are treated kindly. However, animals often feel stressed because they are kept in small spaces.

For example, the smallest cage for a mink is about 85 by 30 by 45 centimeters. This small space can make the animal uncomfortable. In the Netherlands, female minks give birth once a year, usually to five or six young. The young are then raised and killed in November or December.

Groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) argue that keeping animals in cages for fur farming is wrong. They say animals are killed in cruel ways, like by electrocution or gassing, just to keep their fur looking good.

Chinchillas are another animal used for fur. When stressed, chinchillas might chew their own fur. Studies show this happens more often when they are kept in cages.

Future Solutions for Fur

Fur clothing is very useful in cold places because it keeps people warm. While fake fur isn't as warm in extreme cold, it can be a good choice in warmer areas. This could reduce the need for real fur.

Groups like PETA run campaigns against fur. These campaigns help people learn about animal welfare issues. This can lower the demand for real fur. Governments can also help by making rules about selling farmed fur. For example, the United States passed a law in 2010. It requires labels to say what animal the fur came from. This helps buyers know that an animal died to make the product.

However, some famous people and businesses still promote real fur. This keeps the demand for it high. But in countries with strict rules on fur farming, people might start choosing fake fur more often. Government rules and educating the public could help reduce the demand for farmed fur over time.

Recently, more people are choosing vegan products, including fake fur. This is partly because they see it as a way to help the environment.

But fake fur also has its problems. Fur farmers point out that making fake fur still uses fossil fuels and plastics. Now, new technologies are being developed to create "bio-based fur." This fur would be made only from natural materials. This could solve many of the environmental issues that fake fur currently faces.