AR-News: (US) FUR IS NOT ONLY A CRIME TO ANIMALS

[Tracey McIntire]

For Immediate Release

FUR IS NOT ONLY A CRIME TO ANIMALS

U.S. Justice Department Probes Global Fur Industry for Antitrust Violations

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2004)The international Fur-Free Alliance and three 
member organizations in the U.S.Animal Protection Institute, The Fund 
for Animals, and The Humane Society of the United Stateshave long said 
that the cruel fur industry is a crime to millions of animals who are 
trapped, gassed, electrocuted, or have their necks broken each year for 
their skin. But now the U.S. Justice Department is investigating another 
sort of crime: collusion among the factory farmed mink industry for 
price-fixing and violating antitrust laws.

The Justice Department has served subpoenas on dozens of mink 
auctioneers, brokers, and retailers from Seattle, New York, Canada, 
Europe, and Asia. Antitrust investigators are reportedly probing fur 
retailers dealings with the American Legend auction in Seattle, North 
American Fur Auctions of Canada and Wisconsin, Fur Harvesters Auction of 
Canada, the Copenhagen Fur Center, and Finnish Fur Sales. A Justice 
Department spokesperson stated that 
we are looking into the possibility 
of anti-competitive practices by domestic and international brokers in 
connection with auctions in the U.S. and elsewhere.



This is a global conspiracy to keep pelt prices down and give a boost 
to the dying fur industry,
 said Camilla Fox, Director of Wildlife 
Programs for the Animal Protection Institute. 
Compassionate consumers 
know that the animals need their fur more than we do.


This is not the first time the fur trade has been in trouble with the 
feds. Thirty years ago an investigation of mink farming organizations 
resulted in indictments by a grand jury, charging the ranching groups 
with a price-fixing conspiracy. The investigation came to a conclusion 
with six officials of the groups being fined as much as $12,000.


The U.S. Justice Department should be commended for investigating these 
illegal actions by the fur industry,
 said Dr. John Grandy, Senior Vice 
President for Wildlife and Habitat Protection at The Humane Society of 
the United States. 
Consumers need to learn the truth that the fur trade 
is unscrupulous, especially to the 40 million animals killed each year 
for their skins.



Mink on factory farms are killed by gruesome methods such as neck 
breaking, gassing, and anal and genital electrocution,
 said Michael 
Markarian, President of The Fund for Animals. 
Its a crime to kill 
animals for their fur when so many warm and stylish alternatives are 
available.


The Fur-Free Alliance is an international coalition of 35 leading humane 
and conservation organizations working to end the cruel and unnecessary 
killing of animals for their fur. The alliance represents tens of 
millions of supporters in more than 20 countries worldwide. On the web 
at www.inFURmation.com.