ANIMAL WELFARE and rights groups have welcomed the Green Party Programme for Government as a victory for animals here, particularly the ending of fur farming in three years.
Caft Ireland (Coalition to abolish the fur trade) said it was “absolutely thrilled” its greatest goal had been achieved by the Green Party and it would now turn its attention to banning fur imports.
Bernie Wright of the Alliance for Animal Rights said it was the best day in 20 years in the campaign for animals.
She said the banning of fur farming, the ending of stag hunting after March next year, the ending of badger culling when a vaccine against bovine TB was found and promised new animal welfare legislation, was a major victory.
“Thank you Green Party and thank you John Gormley,” she said in a statement.
Compassion in World Farming said the ban on fur farming was a major step forward for animal welfare standards in the Republic of Ireland.
“We congratulate the Green Party on its commitment to improving the protection of animals.
The ban on fur farming will send out a strong message to the world that Ireland takes farm animal welfare very seriously,” said Mary-Anne Bartlett, director of the organisation here.