Protesters at an anti-fur rally in Sydney in 2012. Photo: Eva Rinaldi

Activists rejoice as LA bans fur sales

Los Angeles is the latest city to ban the sale of fur within the city parameters.

The decision was celebrated by jubilant animal rights activists when Los Angeles City Council voted on the ban.

City council member Bob Blumenfield told Teen Vogue that there was no excuse for being complicit in the inhumane and unnecessary trade. “We will continue to be a leader in animal welfare efforts and must work with other cities and states until this vile practice is ended across our nation.”

The ban covers items such as bags, coats and shoes and will come into effect 24 months after the final language has passed.

The city follows a similar move in San Francisco, which passed the law in March 2018. The ban begins on January 1, 2019 and retailers will have until 2020 to sell existing stock.

Embed from Getty Images

Animal rights activist Emily Chapman said campaigners were thrilled with the news.

“It’s honestly amazing. Its such a step in the right direction for Animal rights and the fact that such large cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco are doing it makes me very happy,” said Chapman.

The fashion industry as a whole is becoming much more conscientious. Back in March, Versace also banned the use of fur in all of its garments. In an interview with The Economists 1843 issue, Donnatella Versace said: “I don’t want to kill animals to make fashion. It doesn’t feel right.”