http://cbc.ca/stories/2003/01/03/fur030103
Canadian furriers see rise in sales
Updated Fri, 03 Jan 2003 8:54:20
MONTREAL - Canada's fur industry is boasting an improvement in sales for the year 2002, and furriers are predicting even better business next year.
Popularity of fur in Canada has never rebounded from a barrage of negative publictiy by animal rights groups in the 1980s. But people in Canada's fur industry say sales to foreign markets are on the rise.
Tina Jagros, executive director of the North American Fur Association, says Canada exports more than $300 million worth of furs every year.
"In many countries, like Russia and China, people don't use their cars as much. Fur is very important to keep warm."
Liz White, director of the Animal Alliance of Canada, says the fur industry is all about public relations "and putting a happy face on an issue that is not particularly happy."
White says even some of the newer game traps that have padding to minimize pain are cruel because animals are trapped in the cold, sometimes for days.
"No food, no shelter, no water for 24 hours, sometimes even five days in this country. I don't know how anybody could possibly call that humane," she says.
White says organizations such as hers successfully persuaded Canadians not to wear fur, and she hopes consumers in other countries will see fur coats as frivolous and inhumane as well.
Canadian furriers see rise in sales
Updated Fri, 03 Jan 2003 8:54:20
MONTREAL - Canada's fur industry is boasting an improvement in sales for the year 2002, and furriers are predicting even better business next year.
Popularity of fur in Canada has never rebounded from a barrage of negative publictiy by animal rights groups in the 1980s. But people in Canada's fur industry say sales to foreign markets are on the rise.
Tina Jagros, executive director of the North American Fur Association, says Canada exports more than $300 million worth of furs every year.
"In many countries, like Russia and China, people don't use their cars as much. Fur is very important to keep warm."
Liz White, director of the Animal Alliance of Canada, says the fur industry is all about public relations "and putting a happy face on an issue that is not particularly happy."
White says even some of the newer game traps that have padding to minimize pain are cruel because animals are trapped in the cold, sometimes for days.
"No food, no shelter, no water for 24 hours, sometimes even five days in this country. I don't know how anybody could possibly call that humane," she says.
White says organizations such as hers successfully persuaded Canadians not to wear fur, and she hopes consumers in other countries will see fur coats as frivolous and inhumane as well.
