Eesti Karusnahaliit

The Estonian Fur Association is a non-profit association, established by and open for membership to legal persons engaged in all aspects of the fur trade: fur farming enterprises, hunting associations, wholesalers, fur processors, apparel manufacturers, furriers, marketing organizations and retailers. The Estonian Fur Association was re-established in 2008, but the speciality is an old one. The first written record of the trade in Tallinn dates from 1310 and the first mention of the guild charter of Tallinn furriers is from 1397. Since then, there have been numerous different organisations in Estonia uniting furriers, fur farmers, tanners, leather companies and so on. Today, we carry on and develop - in a modern way - the traditions and skills developed by our ancestors over the centuries.

Animal welfare

The fur industry is a responsible industry. The Estonian Fur Association deplores cruelty to animals and promotes strict codes of practice that meet or exceed established and accepted standards for animal welfare, for wild and farmed fur. The fur trade does not trade in endangered species.

All furs used by the fur trade are either farmed or are taken from abundant, sustainable populations in the wild. We support independent scientific research into animal welfare in farming, trapping, population and habitat conservation. The Estonian Fur Association encourages and supports animal welfare legislation that is based on sound, objective scientific research around the world.

Politics

We represent the interests of the fur sector in Estonia and promote innovation, high standards and positive image of fur domestically. A major part of the activity of the Estonian Fur Association is the protection of interests on the national and international level. The Estonian Fur Association is a member of the International Fur Trade Federation and our international activities are carried out in close cooperation with that organisation.

Fashion

One of the activities of the Estonian Fur Association is to support and promote use of fur by Estonian fashion designers. The Estonian Fur Association offers young Estonian designers and students who use fur in their work a possibility to take part in the international fur fashion competition REMIX, the final round of which is held at the annual Milan fur trade show.

Information

The Estonian Fur Association is the source for the latest and most objective information on developments in the fur sector on the national and international level.