Finland’s derogation for mink fur farming and the ban on fur farming throughout the EU
27.6.2025
Question for written answer E-002603/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE)
The Commission has added the American mink to the EU list of invasive alien species.[1]However, Finland wants to continue mink fur farming and is therefore going to apply for a derogation to do this.
To obtain a derogation, it must be demonstrated that there are compelling reasons of public interest for mink fur farming. However, public interest does not come into play in this case because fur farming in Finland is not economically viable, nor is it important for the country’s economy. Fur farming actually poses huge problems in terms of animal rights[2] and pandemic risk[3].
The vast majority of EU Member States have already banned fur farming either partially or completely. Significant fur farming activities now only take place in Finland, Poland, Greece and Lithuania.
The European Citizens’ Initiative on a fur-free Europe, which calls for an EU-wide ban on fur farming, has garnered over 1.5 million validated signatures and has been referred to the Commission for consideration. The Commission’s response to the initiative is due by March 2026.[4]
- 1.Why is the Commission granting problematic derogations to a list of invasive alien species that has already been drawn up on the basis of scientific assessment?
- 2.Is the Commission planning to propose an EU-wide ban on fur farming?
Submitted: 27.6.2025
- [1] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/invasive-alien-species_en
- [2] https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/news/new-scientific-report-fur-farming-animal-welfare-needs-cannot-be-met
- [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09007-w
- [4] https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2022/000002_en