Una Terra Alapítvány
UTA
Az Una Terra Alapítvány célja, hogy felhívja a figyelmet arra, hogy egyetlen Földünk van, amelyre felelősen kell vigyáznunk.
ID: 681521497783-23
Lobbying Activity
Response to Follow-up to the European Citizens’ Initiative “Fur Free Europe”
30 Jul 2025
Submission from Una Terra Alapítvány Hungary: National-Level Context on Chinchilla Fur Farming Lack of Oversight and Regulatory Capacity The Hungarian fur farming industry clearly demonstrates that fur farming, particularly of chinchillas, is neither economically viable nor ethically sustainable. Despite its historical prevalence, Hungarian authorities lack the necessary resources and mechanisms to adequately track or regulate chinchilla farms. Over the past 20 years, control over the industry has continuously weakened. According to the Hungarian Food Safety Authority (NÉBIH), there are currently 155 registered fur farmersa figure that has remained unchanged for 15 years. The agency openly acknowledges that it lacks the tools to determine the actual number of chinchillas being kept or even to identify the operating farms. In a phone call made in 2025 by Una Terra Alapítvány to the president of the Hungarian Fur Trade Association, Mr. Lajos Potháczky estimated that there are approximately 30,000 female chinchillas in the country. This absence of oversight has resulted in widespread non-compliance with animal welfare standards, including inadequate ventilation, dangerously high ammonia levels, poor sanitation, improper methods of killing (all available evidence suggests that chinchillas are killed by neck-breaking without stunning or involvement of trained personnel, violating EU welfare standards). Economic Unsustainability The Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture has explicitly stated that fur farming is not considered a sector of economic significance within the national agricultural strategy and thus cannot justify further investment in oversight or regulatory development. As fur markets continue to collapse, chinchilla farming has become increasingly unprofitable. Most fur breeders cannot meet taxation or enterprise requirements and operate informally. The lack of financial incentive has further eroded compliance with even the most basic welfare norms, contributing to worsening conditions for animals. Severe Animal Welfare Violations From an animal welfare standpoint, chinchilla farming in Hungary gravely disrupts natural social behaviors by employing polygamous breeding systems, wherein one male is paired with up to four females. This structure contradicts chinchillas' naturally monogamous social organization. Females are confined individually and fitted with restrictive metal collars to prevent movement between cages and social interaction. These conditions cause serious psychological distress and physical discomfort. Inbreeding is prevalent, as breeders focus exclusively on fur color and quality rather than genetic health, compounding both ethical and veterinary concerns. Environmental and Public Health Risks Fur processing relies heavily on carcinogenic and environmentally polluting chemicals to preserve pelts, which prevents natural biodegradation. Treated fur can take 50 to 100 years to break down. These chemicals are often not disposed of according to regulatory standardsan issue Una Terra has also reported to relevant authorities. The potential for environmental contamination is high. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Hungarian government imposed a ban on mink and fox fur farming due to the risk of zoonoses. However, chinchillas were excluded from this measure due to their lower population numbers and the lack of targeted researchdespite evidence from similar rodent species indicating zoonotic transmission risks. Conclusion: The Need for a Fur-Free Europe Given these factors, Scenario 2completely phasing out fur farmingis the only viable policy option. It effectively addresses the welfare, environmental, economic, and public health concerns inherent to fur farming. Attempts to regulate or revive the sector would only extend animal suffering, environmental degradation, and administrative burden. Hungarys experience makes clear the urgency for coherent, EU-wide regulation and a decisive ban.
Read full responseMeeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner) and
27 May 2025 · Animal welfare
Meeting with Flavio Facioni (Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi) and Eurogroup for Animals
16 May 2025 · Animal welfare