Res. No. 1198

Resolution denouncing the use of fur by all clothing makers and the inhumane manner in which the animals used for fur are killed.

By Council Members Vallone Jr., Gonzalez, James, Liu and Palma

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; according to the Fur Information Council of America, the number of fashion designers using fur in their ready-to-wear collections rose from 42 in 1985 to over 400 in 2004; and

Whereas, A study by Women’s Wear Daily Magazine reported that in April 2004, 74% of 200 high end specialty retailers surveyed across the United States sold fur products with 79% of the remaining stores planning to do so in within the next year; and

Whereas, Economic data also reflects the growth of the fur industry, with a recent report showing worldwide fur sales totaling $11 billion in 2001/02; and

Whereas, Southwick Association of Business, a better business association, reported that 2003 fur sales in the United States reached an all time high of $1.8 billion, up 7.5% from 2002 and up 80% from 1991, with New York City ranking as having the most fur sales in the United States; and

Whereas, Probably one of the greatest impacts on the fur industry has been the emergence of the fur industry in China in the last ten years, which, as a member of the International Fur Trade Federation, not only has become the largest fur exporter in the world but also has the biggest fur trade production and processing base in the world; and

Whereas, According to Chinese Customs statistics, in 2003 the country had a net volume for fur imports and exports of $997.6 million, an increase of 42.5% from the previous year; and

Whereas, The affordability of Chinese fur products has helped proliferate the types of clothing products and accessories made with fur, including sportswear and mass produced ready to wear clothing lines at affordable prices; 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, Although many countries, including the United States, have laws regarding animal welfare, China and several other countries do not, thus making the fur industry responsible for the horrific treatment of animals slaughtered for their pelts; and 

Whereas, A shocking investigative video depicting fur farmers at work shows them skinning raccoon dogs and foxes alive, after breaking their necks or backs by swinging them by their legs, smashing their heads on the ground, or beating them on the head with a metal or wood stick to stun them; and

Whereas, After being stunned, a knife is used to cut the animal at the rear of their belly only to have their skin ripped off its body until it comes off at the head; and

Whereas, This report and investigative video have documented that the animals are often still alive and conscious while being skinned, only to be tossed on top of piles of carcasses, where they might survive for another 10 to 15 minutes; and

Whereas, While the fur industry, clothing designers and makers have made fur trendy, widely accessible and affordable and a highly lucrative business, they in no way can justify the need for fur, especially at the expense of millions of animals’ lives, which can be snuffed out by methods that can only be described as excessively cruel and inhumane; now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York denounces the use of fur by all clothing makers and the inhumane manner in which the animals used for fur are killed.

SD

LS# 3476

10/4/05