Res. No. 466
Resolution denouncing the use of fur by all clothing manufacturers and the inhumane manner in which the animals used for fur are killed.
By Council Members Vallone Jr., Chin, Dromm, Lander, Mark-Viverito, Nelson, Williams and Gonzalez
Whereas, The fur industry is experiencing a resurgence of popularity as evidenced by the proliferation of clothing makers and designers using fur in their product lines; and
Whereas, According to the Fur Information Council of America, the fur market generated $1.36 billion in revenue in the United States in 2008; and
Whereas, Fur garments were featured over 1,500 times on runway shows in New York, Paris, Milan, and London in Fall 2010, nearly a fourfold increase from the previous Fall; and
Whereas, One of the greatest impacts on the fur industry in the last fifteen years has been the emergence of China as one of the largest fur exporters in the world as well as one of the biggest fur trade production and processing bases in the world; and
Whereas, Although the fur industry and clothing manufacturers have made fur more trendy, accessible, and affordable, the inhumane manner in which animals are trapped, bred, kept and killed has not changed; and
Whereas, Though many countries, including the United States, have laws regarding animal cruelty, animal welfare is still largely unregulated in other countries, including China, which exported $1.3 billion worth of fur and fur-related products in 2009; and
Whereas, In some of the more gruesome examples of animal cruelty, fur farmers have been observed skinning animals alive, breaking their necks or backs by swinging them by their legs, smashing their heads on the ground, and beating them on the head with a metal or wood stick to stun them; and
Whereas, In other cases, fur farmers will poison animals or electrocute them in a manner that will not significantly damage their coat; and
Whereas, Depending on the type of fur, it can take anywhere from ten to 240 animals to produce a single coat; and
Whereas, There are many non-animal alternatives to fur that are commercially available and which provide both the same look and warmth as garments made from animals; and
Whereas, The fur and fashion industries can in no way justify the need for fur, especially at the expense of millions of animals' lives; and
Whereas, The fur industry bears the greatest responsibility for the horrific treatment of animals slaughtered for their pelts, a method that can only be described as excessively cruel and inhumane; and
Whereas, As one of the fashion capitals of the world, New York City, along with its retailers, have the potential to dramatically impact the future of animal welfare; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York denounces the use of fur by all clothing manufacturers and the inhumane manner in which the animals used for fur are killed.
DMB
LS# 828
7/27/10
Res149/2006