Animalia appeals to Members of Parliament: Finland must establish a preparatory working group for the abolition of fur farming

Animalia press release 25.11.2010

Animalia has invited representatives of Finland’s parliamentary groups to a meeting in the Laki (law) informa-tion room of the Parliament House on Tuesday, 30 November, 1 - 1.30 pm. In the meeting, Animalia will pre-sent an information package on the current state of fur farming and the welfare of animals raised for fur and will lobby for the establishment of a preparatory working group for the abolishment of fur farming.

Animalia representatives will put forth the central arguments behind their petition for the prohibition of fur farming and the need to set up a working group that will oversee the transition period to prohibition. During the next parliamentary election cycle, reform of Finland’s Animal Welfare Act will become a highly topical issue. Animalia’s goal for the spring elections will be the creation of a Parliament that will be capable of finding solutions regarding the future of fur farming and that will restore Finland's place among western Europe’s progressive nations in animal rights issues.

'Animalia challenges every candidate running for office in the spring parliamentary elections to proclaim his or her position on the prohibition of fur farming so that voters can make a conscious decision for or against the advancement of the protection of animals in our society,' says Animalia’s Campaign and Training Manager, Kati Pulli.

Animalia’s goal of closing all fur farms in Finland by the year 2025 is supported by more than 100 experts from different backgrounds. The campaign against fur farming has gathered more than 12,000 supporters on Face-book. Approximately 2,000 Finnish citizens have already sent personal messages calling for action against fur farming to their Members of Parliament via Animalia’s website or by postcard.

Tomorrow, Friday, 26 November, is international Fur Free Friday. Animalia will distribute information on fur farming to the public from noon – 5 pm in the centre of Helsinki, in front of Lasipalatsi and Forum. Visitors to Animalia’s stand will have the chance to write personal messages that will be delivered to Members of Parliament.

For further information please contact:

Executive Director, Salla Tuomivaara, telephone 050 384 5072, (09) 720 65 910
Campaign and Training Manager, Kati Pulli, telephone 045 7750 1572

E-mails in form of firstname.surname@animalia.fi

www.animalia.fi/turkistarhatonsuomi