Norway officially bans fur farming, marking a historic shift

No more fur farming in Norway: the deadline for closure is set this month. After years of debate, the country, one of the largest producers, is finally turning the page

Norway has finally shut down fur farming, closing a controversial chapter in its history. After decades of controversy and lobbying by animal welfare organizations, the country has sealed a final ban, with February 2025 as the deadline for shutting down all fur farms. The action is a significant step towards a more sustainable and ethical future for animal welfare.

For decades, Norway led the fur-producing industry with nearly 300 farms in production at the peak of the business. Foxes and minks were kept in stuffed cages, without even the chance to behave naturally. Investigations revealed ghastly conditions: injured animals, self-harm, and the ultimate stress of being caged. The public outcry compelled the government to intervene.

How the ban came to be

The transition was gradual. As early as the 2000s, public awareness of animal welfare was starting to grow, evoking concerns in the general population. A government commission made the determination that fur farming could not be harmonized with today’s ethical and animal welfare standards in 2014. In 2018, most Norwegians had fallen in line to support the ban based on a survey, and shortly following that year, the government announced a phased closing down of the industry.

One of the greatest challenges with this shift was helping the farmers. For many of them, fur farming was a family business that spanned generations. The government helped more than 500 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $47 million) to help them develop alternative sources of income and assist them in changing to other farm or business endeavors. However, some of the farmers complained that the compensation was not adequate and sued for additional monetary aid.

Part of an expanding global movement

Norway thus joins an expanding movement of countries outlawing fur farming, following the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Austria. The fashion industry has also made tremendous progress, with some major brands dropping fur from their collections. This shift bodes for a world where animal welfare precedes human profit.