59 percent of the Estonian population does not support raising wild animals on fur farms with the sole purpose of producing fur, as was found in the research carried out by the Saar Poll LLC social and market research provider, ordered by the NGO Loomus. 35 percent of the population supports raising wild animals on fur farms, including 6,5 percent of “definite supporters”.

Most of the Estonian population (81 percent) finds that fur farming activities, as they currently appear in Estonia, are not justified. A quarter of the population supports banning fur farms in Estonia and more than half of the people (55 percent) believe that it is not necessary to ban fur farms, but to establish harder requirements for the animals’ living conditions. Only 12 percent of the population thinks that animal farms should remain operating in the way they currently are in Estonia.

“Although fur products are mainly associated with the consumption habits of women, then, interestingly, the survey shows that it is actually men, who, to a degree more than women, support raising wild animals with the purpose of producing fur, making up 38% of all men, while only 31% of women support it,” noted Kadri Aavik, author of the survey report, NGO Loomus member and Tallinn University Institute of International and Social Studies post-graduate student. “In addition, we should point out the fact that no clear relationship was found between one’s income and support for fur farming. As we know, fur industry largely consists of luxury products, which is why one could assume that in terms of income it should be the wealthier people who support raising wild animals for producing fur,” added Aavik.

According to the Saar Poll LLC manager Andrus Saar, the survey showed that the Estonian people do not rush into demanding bans, but see improvements to the living conditions of the fur animals as the first necessary step. “The world will be made a better place by advancing in small steps. The current survey gave us an overview of the today’s dominating attitudes in Estonia. From this, we can move forward in a more deliberate manner,” explained Saar.

The research is based on the results of the national population survey, carried out by the research provider Saar Poll LLC on March 5-22 in 2014, during which 1000 people aged 15-74 years were questioned. The research was conducted on a voluntary basis.

The NGO animal advocacy organization Loomus protects the interests and rights of animals and represents the interests of animals in public discussions. Primarily, Loomus stands for the animals used in agriculture, animal testing, entertainment, and for producing fur.