Based on field and desk research conducted in 2004 and 2005, this report provides background information on the Chinese fur industry, describing and documenting husbandry and slaughter practices. Includes recommendations.

An estimated 85% of the world’s fur originates from farms. China is the world’s largest exporter of fur clothing, and potentially the biggest fur trade production and processing base in the world, due to cheap labor and the absence of regulation. Within China, 25-30% of the country’s fur come from wild animals while 70-75% come from captive animals.

China is the world’s leading producer of fox and raccoon dog pelts, as well as the second largest producer of mink pelts. In 2007, 10 Chinese universities offered courses in fur farming while 2 of them offered it as a major.

95% of the fur clothing produced in the country is sold overseas; 80% of fur exports from Hong Kong alone go to Europe, the U.S., and Japan.

On all farms visited in China for this research, animals were handled roughly and confined to rows of inappropriate, small wire cages, which fell short of EU regulations. Signs of extreme anxiety and pathological behaviors were prominent throughout. Other indicators of poor welfare observed included high cub mortality and infanticide.