GAIA and the Fur Free Alliance call on the European Commission: “Ban fur in Europe”
Brussels, 23 February 2026 — This Monday, GAIA and the Fur Free Alliance - an international coalition bringing together more than 45 animal-protection organisations active in over 30 countries - held an action at the European Commission to demand that the European Union put a definitive end to the fur industry. LED screen trucks parked in front of the Berlaymont building broadcast footage filmed on fur farms, exposing both European decision-makers and the public to the reality of this industry.
The mobilisation comes as the European Commission is due to adopt its official response to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “Fur Free Europe”, which has gathered more than 1.5 million validated signatures across the European Union—making it one of the most widely supported ECIs to date. Under EU rules, the Commission must publicly present its legal and political conclusions, as well as the actions it intends to take, by March 2026 at the latest.
“The European Commission must respect this powerful democratic signal and, within the announced timeframe, propose a clear and comprehensive ban on both fur farming and the marketing of fur. This cruel, outdated industry has no place in Europe,” said Ann De Greef, GAIA’s Managing Director.
Millions of animals still killed every year
Each year, 7 million animals are still bred and killed for their fur in the European Union. Minks, foxes and raccoon dogs are confined in narrow wire cages, deprived of any opportunity to express natural behaviours. Many develop stereotypic behaviours, self-mutilation and chronic stress. They are typically killed by gassing or by anal electrocution.
In 2025, GAIA documented these practices through undercover footage filmed on several European fur farms, including in Poland.
Today, more than 15 EU Member States, including Belgium, have already banned fur farming. Belgium definitively ended this production in 2023.
A strong majority of Belgians support a ban
According to a Dedicated survey commissioned by GAIA in January 2025, 76% of Belgians have a negative view of brands that continue to sell fur, and 73% support a ban on its sale.
