Israel set to become first country to ban sale and purchase of animal furs

The BBC reports: ‘ Israel says it intends to ban the buying and selling of animal furs, apart from in specially approved cases, making it the first country to do so. Announcing plans for new regulations, environmental protection minister Gila Gamliel said the use of skin and fur for the fashion industry was “immoral”. Her ministry said future permits would only be considered under certain, limited criteria. Animal rights group Peta said it “applauded” Israel’s move. Until now, only a handful of cities – in the US, and São Paulo in Brazil – have banned the sale of all animal fur. At present, anyone in Israel wishing to buy or sell fur must apply for a permit, but under the new rules this will only be allowed in cases of “scientific research, education or for instruction and for religious purposes or tradition”. The exemption is likely to apply to Israel’s sizeable ultra-Orthodox community, among whom many of the men wear large round fur hats called shtreimels, believed to have originated as a custom in Eastern Europe.’ Click here to read the full story.