California outlaws sale, manufacture of fur products

Image: @_chupacabra_/iStock.com via AFP Relaxnews

California is officially going fur-free.

As of January 2023, the state will prohibit the sale and manufacture of new fur products, thanks to legislation signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday. The governor also signed into law a series of bills banning animals like elephants and bears from being used in circus acts, and prohibiting the hunting or killing of bobcats in California.

“California is a leader when it comes to animal welfare and today that leadership includes banning the sale of fur,” said Gov. Newsom in a statement. “But we are doing more than that. We are making a statement to the world that beautiful wild animals like bears and tigers have no place on trapeze wires or jumping through flames.”

Assembly Bill 44, which was introduced by Assembly member Laura Friedman last year, will make it unlawful to “manufacture, sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, give, donate or otherwise distribute” fur products across the state of California, including clothing, handbags, shoes and other accessories. However, it includes exemptions for used fur, taxidermy products, and fur from an animal lawfully taken with a hunting license.

The move, which makes California the first United States state to ban the sale of fur, has been welcomed by the animal rights organization Humane Society International.

“The signing of AB 44 underscores the point that today’s consumers simply don’t want wild animals to suffer extreme pain and fear for the sake of fashion,” CEO Kitty Block said. “More cities, states and countries are expected to follow California’s lead, and the few brands and retailers that still sell fur will no doubt take a closer look at innovative alternatives that don’t involve animal cruelty.”

There has been a tidal wave of support for the growing anti-fur movement across the fashion industry recently, with fashion heavyweights such as Chanel, Prada, Coach, Diane Von Furstenberg, Burberry and Versace announcing plans to drop fur from their collections over the past two years. IB/JB

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