The final signature for fur animals. We have conveyed our position to the President of Poland.

This really is the final step. One signature separates us from real change for animals in Poland.

The Mushika Foundation has submitted its official position to the President of the Republic of Poland, expressing support for the Act of 7 November 2025 amending the Animal Protection Act. This is a landmark piece of legislation that brings an end to the era of commercial fur farming in Poland, aligning our country with the ethical standards already in force in many European nations.

Ban on Fur Farming in Poland

The Act introduces a complete ban on the keeping and breeding of animals for fur for commercial purposes, with the exception of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), in particular for the acquisition of fur or other animal parts. This is a decision Polish society has been waiting for many years.

At present, 281 fur farms are still operating in Poland, including 169 American mink farms, 37 fox farms, 11 raccoon dog farms, and 64 chinchilla farms. Each of these is a place where sentient beings spend their lives in cramped metal cages, deprived of natural stimuli and the ability to express normal behaviors. Thanks to this Act, this system is to be phased out.

A Fair Transition

The Act has been designed to protect people as well—farmers and fur farm workers who for years operated in accordance with the law.

The transitional solutions proposed by the legislator allow for a smooth and planned closure of operations:

• An over eight-year transition period—until 31 December 2033—gives entrepreneurs time to transform their businesses.
• A compensation system (from 25% down to 5% of average annual revenue) incentivizes faster closure of farms.
• Facilitated changes in business activity—farmers may switch to other types of agricultural production without the need to obtain a new environmental decision.
• 12-month severance payments for employees provide real support to those employed in the sector.

This is an example of a wise transformation that combines social responsibility with concern for animal welfare.

Poland in Line with the Direction of the European Union

The Act is consistent with the direction of EU nature protection policy. The American mink (Neovison vison)—the most commonly farmed fur-bearing animal in Poland—was classified by the European Commission in July 2025 as an invasive species. As a result, from August 2027 onward, EU Member States will be obliged to introduce a ban on its breeding, keeping, sale, transport, and release into the environment.

In practice, this means that the operation of American mink farms will become impossible as early as 2029. By adopting the current regulations, Poland is moving ahead of these requirements and introducing the process of change in an orderly manner, with respect for people and the environment.

A Step Toward a Future Without Cages

We support this Act not only for ethical reasons, but also for scientific and social ones. It is legislation that eliminates one of the cruelest forms of animal farming while at the same time protecting the people who work in this sector.

In our position, we also emphasize the need to extend the ban in the future to include rabbits, which—like other fur-bearing species—experience pain, stress, and suffering in industrial farming conditions. You can read about why rabbits were excluded from the fur farming ban in our article.

Signing the Act would be a clear signal that Poland is consistently moving toward animal protection in line with European values and the social expectations of its citizens.

We hope the President will support this change. It is one signature that has the potential to transform the fate of millions of animals.

Position of the Mushika Foundation submitted to the President of the Republic of Poland