The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur Spring 2019

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

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Contents

Introduction p. 5 FURMARK overview p. 6 Farm-raised and Wild Fur Programs p. 17 WELFUR p. 21 SAGA CERTIFICATION BY FINNISH STANDARDS p. 28 FURMARK NORTH AMERICAN p. 33  SABLE p. 55 SWAKARA p. 73

Auction Houses p. 79 Brokers p. 83 Dressers and Dyers p. 87 Manufacturers p. 91 Retailers p. 95 Beyond 2020 p. 98 CHINA p. 98 CHINCHILLA p. 98

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Introduction FURMARK means confidence; confidence for our suppliers, partners, retailers and consumers. It provides clear independent protocols and standards for the fur trade and supply chain to adhere to. For consumers, FURMARK delivers the reassurance needed to confidently buy natural fur. The certification is transparent, traceable and readily accessible.

FURMARK means commitment. Across the entire supply chain, FURMARK ensures that each step of the production process meets strict requirements that reflect various globally recognized animal welfare and sustainability standards. From farmers and trappers to dressers and designers, FURMARK ensures that everyone is working together to meet exacting practices and standards.

FURMARK reaffirms the value of fur as the most natural quality item. It is a collective effort to deliver global standards. This brochure outlines how the fur industry, as a whole, will ensure the sustainable and responsible production of fur through systematic certification programs.

Mark Oaten International Fur Federation

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Furmark

FURMARK Overview FURMARK is the global program overseeing fur trade traceability and certification. It is in place to ensure the highest welfare and environmental standards. Furthermore, it is an assurance that the fur industry is committed to continually improving the sustainability of the sector. For consumers, it is a mark of guaranteed quality for the product they are purchasing.

FURMARK HAS THREE KEY PRINCIPLES: 1. Science: certification programs and their individual protocols are all science-based and will be approved by independent experts.

2. Independent inspection: verification of programs will be conducted by third parties and publicly available as part of an overarching external audit of the FURMARK program.

3. Transparency: the certification programs must meet recognized national regulations and ISEAL’s (International Social & Environmental Standards Accreditation & Labelling Alliance) credibility principles, including truthfulness, transparency, sustainability, relevance, accessibility, efficiency, engagement, impartiality, improvement and rigor.

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FURMARK will operate across the supply chain and cover different regions and sectors. By 2020, the FURMARK program will include seven different

certification programs: WelFur; Saga Certification by Finnish Standards; North American Farm-raised and Wild Fur; Swakara; Russian Sable and Dressers and Dyers: • WelFur is a science-based animal welfare assessment program designed to certify farms for mink, fox, and Finnraccoon in Europe. It aims to ensure that best practices are applied to animal welfare in the fur supply chain.

• Saga Certification by Finnish Standards includes criteria for: advanced animal health and welfare; conditions for rearing animals; farm hygiene; breeding; environmental management; feed management and for training and preparing for exceptional situations.

• For North American farm-raised fur, the US and Canada run separate programs to support quality welfare practices and animal husbandry through responsible and sustainable business practices. These programs utilize the internationally recognized OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) Welfare Standards to make sure that farm-raised species meets the highest possible standards.

• Wild Fur programs are subject to a comprehensive system of laws, regulations, checks and controls. Each of these factors vary depending on geographical provenance and animal species; however, all the programs prioritize the sustainability and welfare of all fur-bearing species and ensure that population and environmental sustainability are key to wild fur harvesting.

• Swakara is the name of a specific breed of karakul (high quality lambskin) from South West Africa.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

PROGRAMS

ASSESSMENT BODY

WelFur

Baltic Control

Saga Certification by Finnish Standards

Luova Ltd

FURMARK North American Farm-raised

NSF International / Third-party veterinarians

FURMARK North American Wild Fur

Government inspectors / conservation officers

Russian Farm-raised Sable

Scientific Research of Fur and Rabbit Farming

Russian Wild Sable

Government veterinary inspectors / supervisory authorities

Swakara

Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF)

Dressers and Dyers

Forschungsinstitut Leder und Kunststoffbahnen (FILK)

A program has been developed for Swakara producers incorporating codes of practice and standards for production and marketing. Auditing and compliance will be key parts of this process.

• In Russia, a detailed program has been developed for farm-raised sable in cooperation with the Moscow State Veterinary Academy. Wild sable is regulated under the Ministry of Natural Resources, and strict rules and regulations apply to harvesting, animal welfare, sustainability and traceability.

• FURMARK certified dressers and dyers are committed to using chemicals from an agreed list. This satisfies laboratory verification requirements and government oversight on the environmental footprint of their factories.

All of the global industry’s quality assurance standards are part of FURMARK. Obtaining a FURMARK certification means that a regional program has satisfied FURMARK’s global standards. FURMARK is an evolving program, and we are committed to inviting more regional markets and fur business sectors to join the initiative to make the industry more responsible and sustainable. For example, in China science-based rules for keeping and breeding farmed fur-bearing

INDEPENDENT

animals have been developed. Work is also underway to bring Chinchilla into the FURMARK program.

FURMARK is a key component of the fur sector’s sustainability strategy.

The sustainability strategy, which will be launched later in 2019, is based on three key pillars – Welfare, Environment and People. The strategy will incorporate robust, evidence-based key performance indicators which will align with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRIs) and UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

Under the FURMARK program, all stages of the supply chain will be subject to comprehensive, transparent and independently verified traceability systems. Dressers and dyers are also part of FURMARK. Therefore, they are subject to independent testing and certification. Discussions are underway with auction houses and manufacturers to ensure the robust application and complete transparency of the FURMARK program. Auction houses will sell FURMARK certified pelts from 2020. The FURMARK program itself will be subject to an overarching audit by an external third-party. Ultimately, FURMARK enables retailers, brands and consumers to have complete assurance and confidence when buying natural fur.

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FURMARK PROGRAMS By 2020, the furmark program will include:

Saga Certification

by Finnish Standards

Dressers & Dyers Certificate covering dressers and dyers of fur across the globe

FURMARK North American Farm-raised covering US and Canadian Mink and Fox Certification Programs

WelFur European Certification Program for Fox, Mink and Finnraccoon

FURMARK North American Wild Fur covering US and Canadian wild fur programs

Russian Farm-raised and Wild Sable

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Swakara

The FURMARK program will continue to evolve beyond 2020 and will seek to incorporate new and emerging programs, providing they meet FURMARK’s three key principles. GOOD4FUR in China, Chinchilla and European Rabbit are examples of these developing programs.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

NORTH AMERICAN

FURMARK SUPPLY CHAIN

CHAINPOINT TRACEABILITY SYSTEM will verify the movement of FURMARK certified pelts

NORTH AMERICAN

FARMRAISED

WELFUR

WILD FUR WILD SABLE

SABLE

AUCTION

Sell FURMARK certified pelts

SWAKARA

DRESSERS & DYERS

Must be IFDDA members and subject to third-party oversight on the use of chemicals and the factory footprint

SAGA*

*SAGA CERTIFICATION BY FINNISH STANDARDS

An independent external audit will confirm the robustness of the overall program

MANUFACTURERS

Receive FURMARK certified pelts from FURMARK certified dressers and dyers

RETAILERS

A garment can only be considered to be FURMARK if it has followed this supply chain

CONSUMERS

The consumer is guaranteed the highest welfare and environmental standards, and that they have purchased the highest quality natural fur product.

THE FURMARK PROGRAM WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN AUDIT BY AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY

(All programs are science-based, independently inspected and transparent.)

RESTYLING

Fur is a durable material that lasts from one generation to next. It can be recycled and restyled. Furthermore, it is biodegradable.

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Governance FURMARK has been developed by the International Fur Federation (IFF). A steering group of key members of the IFF Board – comprised of the CEOs of the major auction houses, leading fur manufacturers, brands, retailers and brokers - will have full oversight of the FURMARK program.

Each program has its own governance structure to support the implementation process. This includes engagement with the scientists, government officials, farmers, hunters/trappers and with third-party assessors who are fully independent of industry influence.

FURMARK has the support of major luxury brands. Dedicated workshops, roundtables and meetings have taken place in order to engage brands on the formulation of FURMARK. Dedicated working groups focusing on traceability, individual program development and communication are also in place.

The FURMARK program itself will be subject to an overarching audit by an external third-party.

Traceability

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Species specific traceability systems are in place with auction houses such as Saga Furs and NAFA. Under FURMARK, a traceability system will be introduced across all five major auction houses ensuring compatibility with existing auction house processes.

To guarantee the robustness and transparency of this process, the FURMARK program will incorporate a traceability system that links the various processes through each stage in the supply chain. This traceability system is based on ChainPoint technology, a multilingual web-based platform that allows multiple supply chain stakeholders to be registered so that they can collaborate across their chains. The platform consists of: a main web application; a RESTbased API; the possibility to integrate custom SOAP-based interfaces and a relational database which is used for storing relevant supply chain details.

This will ensure that a FURMARK certified skin can be traced back through the supply chain to the source.

A pilot traceability scheme has been in place since autumn 2018 with the five main auction houses, as well as targeted manufacturers and dressers and dyers. The traceability system has been designed and developed by a team of independent experts experienced in textile traceability. The aim is to test the robustness of the process as fur moves through the supply chain. The final objective is to trace fur from its origin to its storage, giving assurance at every stage. This scheme has been subject to various checks so it can be scaled up as we move towards 2020.

Auction houses such as Saga Furs already have well-established and industry-leading traceability systems in place. Interoperability with existing IT infrastructure is a key element in ensuring efficiency and good data quality, and, therefore, the FURMARK traceability program is designed to work in harmony with existing systems.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

ALERTS

TRACEABILITY SYSTEM MODEL

FURMARK TRACEABILITY PLATFORM

Personalised dashboards

ALERTS

IT systems

ALERTS

IFF administrators

Personalised dashboards

Personalised dashboards

Personalised dashboards

Personalised dashboards

User Accounts

User Accounts

User Accounts

User Accounts

AUCTION

DRESSERS & DYERS

MANUFACTURERS

RFID

Certification Body IT System

FARM/TRAPPERS

Traceability/Quality data

Animal welfare/Sustainability data

BRANDS/ RETAILERS

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Case study

Traceability Case study NAFA

NAFA Certified™ Wild Fur is fully traceable and comes with all appropriate documentation for legal export and import. Traceability refers to the ability to track and document the movement of an item through stages of a supply chain, including the ability to verify the origin, history, manufacturing process and final application of that item.

On a government level, American state, and Canadian provincial and territorial government wildlife agencies regulate, track, and enforce the hunting and trapping of wildlife through licensing, quotas, seasons and trapping methods.

TRACEABILITY OF NAFA CERTIFIED WILD FUR

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Now in Phase II of NAFA’s Ethical Sourcing Program – Vision 2020, NAFA has developed a program to provide traceability information to brands with harvesting data that includes: species, country of origin, skin ticket number, and year harvested. For more on this initiative, please visit www.nafa.ca At NAFA, wild fur harvesters and ranched fur producers deliver their furs on a consignment basis. Before sorting and grading, each fur pelt is identified with a bar-coded ticket that can be traced back to the individual consignor who provided it; and, once sold, forward to the fur purchaser who buys it. These records are maintained and updated regularly in our database, and they allow NAFA not only to keep track of the origin of the fur and its status in the auction process, but to ensure the sale of fur is properly

NAFA’S COMMITMENT • Support continuous improvement in fur handling and pelt production techniques and, with the assistance of the Wild Fur Shippers Council, promote their adoption by trappers across North America.

• Continue to ensure traceability for our quality furs, selected by NAFA’s professional fur graders.

invoiced, and that each consignor is fully compensated for the furs that he or she has provided, once they have been sold.

After the pelts are sold, NAFA works with the buyer’s freight forwarder to supply or provide data for required export documentation. These documents may include government permits, certificates of origin, and/or health certificates if the goods are to be shipped outside of the country, including special permits for CITES Appendix II species. By law and regulation, collected raw fur pelts must be accompanied by proper documentation, no matter what their position in the supply chain. (see Appendix I: NAFA’s Wild Fur Species Conservation and Trade Status 2018).

The supply chain diagram that follows outlines the process in more detail.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

NAFA TRACEABILITY MODEL WILD FUR HARVESTERS CONSIGN PELTS TO NAFA

EACH PELT RECEIVES A BARCODED TAG

Case study

PELTS ARE SORTED AND GRADED ONTO LOTS

LOTS ARE SOLD AT AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

PELTS ARE DRESSED AND DYED BY FUR PROCESSORS DESIGNERS AND MANUFACTURERS TRANSFORM PELTS INTO READY-TO-WEAR GARMENTS

RETAILER PRESENT AND SELL GARMENTS TO THE CONSUMERS

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Farm-raised and Wild Fur Programs

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FURMARK covers two types of fur: Farm-raised and Wild The global fur sector generates around $30bn per annum in sales, supporting around 1 million jobs, many of which are in the farming and trapping sector.

Fur farmers and hunters have a deep appreciation of animal welfare and operate to very high standards which provides reassurance to those inside and outside of the supply chain.

FURMARK NORTH AMERICAN FARM-RAISED Fur farming has deep roots in the agricultural traditions and histories of many countries across the globe.

FURMARK encapsulates a number of existing and developing global programs. Central to each program is the issue of animal welfare. Rigorous, evidence-based programs, subject to independent inspection, provide that critical reassurance in the first stage of the fur supply chain.

FURMARK NORTH AMERICAN WILD FUR Wild fur is subject to a comprehensive system of laws, regulations, checks and controls that emphasizes the sustainability and welfare of all furbearing species and protects endangered species. Government wildlife management programs exist for a variety of reasons, including:

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• Species conservation and protecting endangered species from predators • Livestock protection • Human health and safety • Social and economic support of indigenous communities • Control of hyper-abundant species

FARM-RAISED PROGRAMS: • WelFur • Saga Certification by Finnish Standards • FURMARK North American Farm-raised • Russian Farm-raised Sable • Swakara

WILD FUR PROGRAMS: • FURMARK North American Wild Fur • Russian Wild Sable

• Re-introduction of species to areas where populations have decreased.

For example, because of the different reasons for trapping, the entire wild fur harvest of North America is regulated under government wildlife management programs. These programs are controlled by government, whether by species, by seasons, or by quotas. Anything that is harvested outside of government wildlife management programs would be illegal and, therefore, not permitted to be sold through the two auction houses in North America, both of which are located in Canada.

The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS), a trilateral agreement between Canada, the EU and Russia, along with the parallel agreement between the EU and United States, ensure that animal welfare is paramount in the management of wild fur.

From 2020 all five major auction houses are committed to selling certified furs. This includes Saga’s existing certification program and NAFA’s new Certified™ Farm-raised and Wild Fur commitment.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

•

WelFur

p. 20

Saga Certification

by Finnish Standards •

•

p. 28

FURMARK North American Farm-raised Wild Fur

p. 34

p. 42

•

Russian Sable Farm-raised Wild Fur

p. 57

p. 66

•

Swakara

p. 72

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WELFUR FURMARK'S VISION

WelFur is part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science FURMARK certified WelFur farmers seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science and dyeing of fur.

Transparency FURMARK certified WelFur farmers seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent assessment FURMARK certified WelFur farmers agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS

WelFur allows the assessment of animal welfare in a scientific way and to act on these results to ensure high quality, responsible and sustainable farming.

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WelFur is recognised by the European Commission as a best practice example.

WelFur has been reviewed externally by a panel of scientists.

WelFur certified farmers strive to lead the industry in responsible and sustainable fur production.

Annual visits are organized reflecting the biological life cycle of the animals.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

WelFur

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

WelFur Farm Certification in Europe WelFur is a science-based animal welfare assessment program designed to certify mink, fox, and Finnraccoon farms in Europe. Inspections are performed by third party assessors, with the inspection protocols centered on the four principles of animal welfare: good housing, good feeding, good health and appropriate behavior. By providing an objective documentation of animal welfare, WelFur aims to certify fur farms across Europe.

WELFUR – BACKGROUND AND SCIENCE There is a general understanding of what represents good animal welfare within the scientific community. This consensus is reflected in the four welfare principles established in the European Commission’s Welfare Quality® project, referenced above. Using these principles, independent scientists from seven European universities have developed the WelFur program to be applicable to mink, fox, and Finnraccoon. The scientists started their work with an in-depth review of all existing animal welfare research and derived from that the most relevant welfare indicators and measurements for each species. Based on this extensive scientific research, WelFur is a world-class animal welfare assessment program.

ENSURING ANIMAL WELFARE ON FUR FARMS 1. GOOD FEEDING • Absence of prolonged hunger • Absence of prolonged thirst 2. GOOD HOUSING • Comfortable housing • Thermal comfort • Ease of movement 3. APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR • Demonstration of social behaviors • Demonstration of other behaviors/habits • Good human-animal relationship • Positive emotional state 4. GOOD HEALTH • Absence of disease • Absence of injuries • Absence of pain induced by management

EUROPEAN COMMISSION RECOGNISES FUR ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAM WelFur has been endorsed by the European Commission as a ‘Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation Initiative’. It is the first animal welfare programme ever to be promoted in the Commission’s database of, so-called, ‘soft law’

initiatives. All programmes promoted under the Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation Initiative must go through an evaluation process in which the programmes are assessed against a range of principles, including stakeholder

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

participation, transparency, reliability, feasibility and legal compliance.

Consequently, programmes promoted under the Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation Initiative are quite often the backdrop for binding legislation.

WELFUR OBJECTIVES The aim of WelFur is to ensure that best practices are applied to animal welfare in the fur supply chain. The certification program is designed to provide an objective and reliable animal welfare assessment. It also aims to ensure transparency for customers and enable an overall animal welfare improvement. WelFur is further designed to evaluate and assess the animal welfare standards on fur farms and can serve as a tool for farmers to improve practices and farm management.

CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA WelFur certification assesses and grades farms on four principles and 12 specific animal welfare criteria. There are 25 measurements to assess the welfare of foxes and 22 measurements for mink.

SCORES The data collected for WelFur certification on the farm is combined to calculate criterion scores and is standardized across countries. To ensure equal treatment of farms regarding factors such as climate conditions and different farming practices, regional variations have been accounted for in the assessment procedures.

Criterion scores are then combined to calculate principal scores and the farm is classified to a WelFur category according to the score attained:

FARM CLASSIFICATION A. Best current practice B. Good current practice C. Acceptable current practice D. Unacceptable current practice

ASSESSMENTS Data on the required criteria is collected during farm visits conducted by qualified and independent third party assessors.

In order to obtain a WelFur certificate, each fur farm must undergo three visits to evaluate the entire production cycle. The visits cover the winter season (with breeding animals only), whelping and nursing (when dams and kits are looked at) and growth season until pelting. A compulsory WelFur visit once a year is then required to maintain the certificate.

Farms will be awarded certification if they are graded as ‘best current practice’, ‘good current practice’ or 'acceptable current practice’. Farms with ‘unacceptable current practice’ will not be certified and, instead, will receive advice and will be pushed for improvements. From 2019, the first certified pelts will be sold at fur auctions.

From 2020, the three largest auction houses - Saga Furs, Kopenhagen Fur and NAFA - will only collect pelts from Europe that are WelFur certified.

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WELFUR IN RELATION TO FURMARK CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES 1) WelFur is committed to ensuring that there are certification programs relevant to the important first stage of the fur supply chain: i. WelFur is based on objective, onfarm animal welfare certification of approximately 3,500 European fur farms. It is closely aligned with the subsequent dressing and dyeing process. Dressing and dyeing will itself be subject to independent verification and inspection. This will ensure a thorough certification that tracks fur pelts through the supply chain.

2) WelFur recognizes that there are different certification programs relevant to different regional geographies: i. In Europe, the WelFur program will eventually cover all of the fur producing farms. The implementation of WelFur started with a test assessment in 2015-2016 across 10 different European countries. The full implementation was launched in 2017. It is expected that, between 2017-2019, approximately 3,500 European farms will be certified.

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picture of whether a farm meets a required industry standard. There are 25 measurements to assess the welfare of foxes and 22 measurements for mink. The measurements are either resource-based, management-based or animal-based. Animal-based measures are generally the best method to assess animal welfare but this is not always the case. WelFur serves as a management tool for individual farmers. If the individual farmer sees a need to improve a practice, he/she can get help through the national organization in their country that is designated to apply WelFur. 5) WelFur is science-based and verified by independent experts: i. Since the initial phase of WelFur, a set of external reviewers/ experts were asked to assess the program. These experts included scientists also working with the EU Commission’s Welfare Quality® project, as well as fur science experts. All WelFur visits are conducted by independent third party assessors with years of experience in the field of animal welfare assessment. Fur farms are currently assessed independently of the industry, by Baltic Control.

3) WelFur meets recognized principles of certification: i. WelFur has been created by independent scientists from seven European universities and is aligned with ISEAL’s Credibility Principles: truthfulness, transparency, sustainability, relevance, accessibility, efficiency, engagement, impartiality, improvement and rigor.

6) The certification protocols must be available to the general public: i. The certification will be transparent for policymakers, customers and the general public. All WelFur protocols are publicly available on the Fur Europe website - www. fureurope.eu. The aggregated results will also be published.

4) WelFur is species-specific and comprehensive: i. WelFur is available for all European farmed fur from mink to fox.

The development of certification for Finnraccoon is also underway.

The scoring system and the rigor of the process provide an accurate

7) The verification system must be credible and impartial: i. In order to receive a certificate, a farm has to be visited by WelFur assessors during each of the three production periods. After that, to maintain the certificate, the farm needs one maintenance visit per year.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

WELFUR IN PRACTICE PERIOD 1 (winter)

PERIOD 2 (nursing)

22/25 MEASUREMENTS 12 CRITERIA 4 PRINCIPLES 1 OVERALL SCORE

6-8 HOURS 120 MINK CAGES 120 FOX CAGES 3RD PARTY ASSESSOR PERIOD 3 (growth)

3 X ASSESSMENTS (1 per period) Methological computer evaluation of data

WELFUR CERTIFICATION

OBJECTIVE DOCUMENTATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS

NO CERTIFICATION (prevented from selling at global auction houses)

FARM SCORE

CONSUMER TRANSPARENCY

More visits can be arranged if the farmer is not certified. In order to prepare the necessary documentation, the visits will need to be announced to the farmer in advance. However, the assessment is detailed enough to ensure that any mismanagement of the farms will be noticed during these visits.

8) The assessment results of farms must be transparent: i. Fur Europe will publish the aggregated results of the WelFur assessment on the Fur Europe website. It is important for national authorities to possess those results should WelFur become the basis for their state legislation.

Brands will also have access to the results of the assessments.

TOOL TO IMPROVE ANIMAL WELFARE

9) WelFur enables a process of continuous improvement: i. WelFur is a dynamic program and will be updated with any new scientific advancements.

The strength of WelFur as an animal welfare assessment system is its comprehensive and methodological approach to animal welfare based on specific indicators. At present, animal welfare assessment of European fur farms is typically performed by national authorities who mainly look for compliance with legislation. However, levels of control and basic legislation differ considerably from one European country to another. WelFur assessments of fur farms will be performed every year, and at different times of the year, taking the biological life cycle of fur animals into consideration.

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Saga Certification by Finnish Standards

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Saga Certification by Finnish Standards is a farm certification program that not only focuses on animal welfare but also on the entire farm operation and environment.The program includes 31 criteria, with 80 sub-criteria. There are criteria for: animal health and welfare; conditions for rearing animals; farm hygiene; breeding; environmental management; feed management and training and preparing for exceptional situations.

The WelFur protocols are also included in Saga Certification by Finnish Standards.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

About the Saga Certification by Finnish Standards Program The Saga Certified fur farmers receiving Saga Certification are committed to this quality evaluation system and to developing it further. They understand the importance of certification to the buyers, fashion houses and fur garment users.

The first Saga Certification scheme was launched in Finland in 2005. It was subsequently expanded into other European countries. The Finnish fur certification system provides several advantages.

In order to obtain Saga Certification

by Finnish Standards, the management of a fur farm must meet certain criteria and its production must be carefully documented and transparent. If the auditor detects any shortcomings, the producer is obliged to take action and remedy the situation by a certain deadline. The certificate is granted only to the farms that meet all of the criteria. Certified farms are inspected regularly, and there are sanctions if the criteria are violated.

Saga Certification by Finnish Standards also includes WelFur, a scientific animal welfare assessment program through which fur animal welfare is measured in a variety of ways - as discussed in the previous chapter.

The Finnish Fur Breeders’ Association (FFBA) is responsible for the development of the Saga Certification quality system. The FFBA has been granted ISO 9001 certification by DNV GL Business Assurance.

CERTIFICATION CRITERIA The certification criteria are based on legislation and proven best practice and development areas in the fur industry. The criteria cover a wide range of different farm activities.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE Animal health and welfare are absolute prerequisites for high-quality breeding. On certified fur farms, animal welfare is promoted by the application of immediate and preventive measures.

BREEDING Healthy and trusting animals are essential to high-quality breeding. Certified farms only sell or deliver fur animals to countries that meet the requirements of the Finnish Animal Welfare Act.

FEED MANAGEMENT In accordance with widely accepted best practice, the audits of fur farms receiving Saga Certification are performed as, so called, ‘second party inspections’ and by professional third party external auditors.

Animals are given feed that is regularly monitored to ensure it fulfils their nutritional needs in each production phase. Domestic raw materials are favored in feed production, and the entire feed chain is documented.

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Global consumers expect to know where their clothes are sourced. They require openness and transparency on the way they are produced and assurance on the humane treatment of animals. With traceability, Saga Furs can verify the origin of pelts.

CONDITIONS FOR REARING ANIMALS When it comes to considering the environment of fur animals, safe and stimulating housing, adjusted to the various cycles in an animal’s life, is the most important factor.

FARM HYGIENE A neat and tidy farm environment promotes welfare and comfort for both the animals and the farmer. Proactive measures can help avoid many potential issues.

TRAINING AND PREPARING FOR EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS Fur farming is a profession that requires solid hands-on competence as well as ongoing professional development. A certified farm is one that is well equipped to act in exceptional circumstances, i.e. any situation where it has to deviate from its day-to-day routines.

TRACEABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY FROM FARM TO FASHION HOUSE

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In addition to certification, traceability in the production chain is increasingly important. Saga Furs has created a pelt traceability program that enables manufacturers to trace the origin of the pelt lots down to individual farms.

When an international fashion house wants to tell its customers about the origins of the furs it uses, and about the responsibility of their production methods, the only way to provide this information is through precise documentation. Traceability means having a reliable knowledge of a product's origins. The requirement for detailed documentation steers fur breeders towards improved and more sustainable production methods.

SAGA TRACEABILITY SYSTEM The Saga Traceability System (STS) has been in place since 2017. It is an automated process for cross-checking the country of origin and for valid certifications. Saga Furs provides all of the documentation needed by international fashion houses to inform customers on fur origins. The STS is integral to implementing transparency and traceability. It discloses the proportion of certified farms, dates of farm certification and the countries of origin. All furs sold by Saga Furs include STS documentation.

Traceability is another example of a sustainability and ethics issue on which Saga Furs has taken a lead within the fur industry. In the very near future, Saga Furs, along with its fashion brand partners, hopes to be able to incorporate high-tech RFID tagging in the hang tag of every garment. This will allow consumers, at the point of purchase, to trace fur back through the entire supply chain. Full traceability is important for quality assurance and a logical next step in customer transparency from the farm to the fashion house.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

SAGA CERTIFICATION BY FINNISH STANDARDS IN RELATION TO THE FURMARK CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES: 1) Saga Certification meets recognised principles of certification: i) The criteria are based on legislation and proven best practice.

2) Saga Certification is speciesspecific and comprehensive: i) The program includes 31 criteria, with 80 sub-criteria.

3) Saga Certification is science-based and verified by independent experts: i) Science-based WelFur protocols are included/used.

4) The certification protocols must be available to the general public i) Interested parties are advised to contact Saga Furs 5) The verification system must be credible and impartial: i) The Finnish Breeders’ Association is responsible for the development of the Saga Certification system.

6) The assessment results of farms must be transparent: i) The STS has been successfully in place since 2017. It discloses the proportion of certified farms, dates of farm certification and countries of origin. Saga Furs are in the process of developing a high-tech RFID tagging system that will allow consumers to trace the entire supply chain at the point of purchase.

7) Saga enables a process of continuous improvement: i) certification committee is responsible for the quality system and its development. There are 4 fur farmers, a vet, as well as our Association and auditors represented in the committee. The committee prepares and presents possible changes to the criteria to our Board who then decides.

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

FURMARK North American

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FURMARK NORTH AMERICAN FARM-RAISED FURMARK'S VISION

The North American farm-raised programs are part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science North American welfare certified fur producers seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science.

Transparency North American welfare certified fur producers seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent inspection North American welfare certified fur producers agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS Both the American and Canadian programs are science-based

Not all farmed animals have the same needs, therefore science has been used to develop species-specific programs.

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It is the fur producers’ responsibility to meet strict requirements from the USA/ Canadian mink and fox codes.

Certification protocols are available to the general public.

The assessment process is fully impartial.

Some of the most prestigious American universities and animal welfare scientists have provided their input for the development of this assessment program.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

FURMARK North American Farm-raised FCUSA(1) HUMANE CARE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND CMBA(2) CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE CARE AND HANDLING OF FARMED MINK. The North American mink industry's goal for welfare enhancement and program assessment.

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY The American and Canadian farmraised mink sectors have a long history of working together in order to achieve sustainability, whilst still recognizing their distinct autonomy, their extensive geographical areas and their respective histories. Both sectors are striving to harmonize their welfare standards for the livestock under their care. By aligning their welfare programs and associated certification assessments, both the USA and Canada aim to support quality welfare practices and animal husbandry systems that will meet the requirements of the livestock, relevant governmental agencies, consumer groups, associated marketing organizations and the general public.

(1) Fur Commission USA. (2) Canada Mink Breeders Association.

CMBA CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE CARE AND HANDLING OF FARMED MINK In association with the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), the Canadian farm-raised mink industry has updated and published the ‘Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Mink’ (originally developed in 1988). These codes of practice were updated in consultation with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, animal welfare representatives, researchers, government representatives, and producers. A third party auditing of these standards has begun.

STANDARD GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATION OF MINK FARMS IN THE UNITED STATES The United States farm-raised mink industry, through the Fur Commission USA, has established the ‘Standard guidelines for the operation of mink farms in the United States’.

Initially developed in 1985, guidelines have been updated every three to five years with original input from animal welfare scientists and veterinarians from the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin and Oregon State University. The assessment program (certification program) in the USA will be based on the Standard Guidelines, which is, once again, being revised and updated to ensure continuity with the Canadian program.

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Current standard guidelines in USA/Canadian mink code

1. MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM

PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITIES The humane raising of mink is dependent upon a myriad of factors, including the skills, training and integrity of mink farmers. The holistic approach to mink farming in the USA and Canada centers on ensuring that the producer has: a thorough knowledge of the natural life cycle of domestic mink; a solid working knowledge of the nutritional needs of mink and has adequate facilities and financial resources to supply and maintain proper housing and comfort, veterinary assistance and a reliable source of nutritious food and clean water.

US GUIDELINES

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There are seven sections to the Standard Guidelines. Each section details the responsibilities of the producer to ensure that certain requirements are fulfilled. Over 90% of production in the USA is currently certified to this standard. The seven sections of the guidelines include requirements in the following areas:

2. ACCOMMODATION: site accommodation, sheds, housing for the mink.

3. FOOD AND WATER: nutritional information, feed preparation, feed distribution, watering systems.

4. HEALTH: farmer and vet relationship, herd health plans, testing for common diseases, immunization.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: sanitation, water quality adherence to local government regulations.

6. TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE MINK (IF APPLICABLE) 7. HUMANE EUTHANASIA

In addition to the Standard Guidelines, there are further requirements for proper biosecurity in the operation of mink farms, including matters relating to disease control, handling, deliveries, visitors and employees.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

CANADIAN CODE As with its American counterpart, the Canadian Code contains seven sections detailing the responsibilities of the producer:

1. ACCOMMODATION AND HOUSING: nest boxes, bedding, sheds, site accommodation.

2. BIOSECURITY: access management, animal management, operational management.

3. FOOD AND WATER: quality distribution, preparation, water quality and watering systems.

4. HEALTH AND WELFARE MANAGEMENT: veterinary care, herd health plans, immunization.

5. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: handling, breeding, whelping and weaning.

6. HUMANE EUTHANASIA

A comprehensive management program must be in place that requires: disease prevention and biosecurity; appropriate and prompt veterinary care; quality shelter; quality management and genetic selection; quality nutrition and clean water; personnel training and humane handling and euthanasia.

MINK FARM WELFARE ASSESSMENT: GUIDING PRINCIPLES Utilizing the internationally recognized OIE Welfare Standards, established by the World Organization for Animal Health, as baseline criteria, the North American and Canadian aligned welfare programs will ensure that farm-raised mink meets the highest practical standards. The programs will establish specific farm management requirements and guidelines designed to benefit the animals. (Fig. 1)

7. TRANSPORTATION

CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS THE COMMITMENT OF NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA TO ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND WELFARE THROUGH RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES Developing a comprehensive set of guidelines on animal welfare enhancement and program evaluation relies upon sound scientific principles and economic and cultural factors. These guidelines will ensure farms care for the animals in accordance with all applicable codes and regulations.

Good animal welfare and animal husbandry are directly related to the good health of the animal. Therefore, ensuring the health and wellbeing of farmraised mink is a key concern.

The certification program in the USA is being revised and updated. Discussions are underway to assess the farms on approximately 22 specific guidelines, in 9 sections, and on 13 requirements that all reflect ‘best practice techniques’.

The individual guidelines in the USA will have a points system assigned to them and specific instructions on how the points are to be allocated. Each farm must meet all requirements, and their accumulated score will determine certification.

Farm certification has begun in Canada. Farms are being assessed based on 10 Critical Care Criteria and 52 Care Criteria. All Critical Care Criteria must be met and there is a minimum score that must be met on them.

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(FIG.1) MINK FARM WELFARE ASSESSMENT: GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Biosecurity & protection from disease and outside predators

Veterinary care & immunization and disease prevention & Herd Health

Consistent access to clean water and nutrition

Humane handling & Euthanasia

Quality management & Generic selection for domestication purposes

Shelter & protection from elements, clean and dry bedding

1. Appropriate shelter (protection from elements, clean and dry bedding) 2. Consistent access to clean water and nutritious food to maintain health and vigor 3. Protection from outside predators and disease through the implementation of biosecurity protocols 4. Humane handling and humane euthanasia 5. Veterinary care to ensure optimum conditions to prevent pain, injury and disease 6. Quality management and genetic selection for domestication purposes *

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Nutritionists are not available to our farmers through our association. However, they are available through feed/consulting companies

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

AMERICAS REGION WELFARE PROGRAM & THE ROUNDTABLE’S DRAFT CERTIFICATION STATEMENT How the American programs meet the criteria in the Draft Certification Statement: 1) Commitment to ensuring that there are certification programs relevant to the fur supply chain.

The aligned Americas region welfare assessment programs will guarantee that the products sold by the fur and luxury industries are produced by certified farms which have been assessed by independent and accredited veterinarians.

These programs will also assist marketing organizations because fur products will now come with known levels of animal welfare and an assurance of best practice in animal husbandry.

2) Recognition that there are different certification programs relevant to different regional geographies.

The areas in which mink farming is undertaken have different needs to one another due to geographical and regulatory variation. Both the American and Canadian programs have incorporated a ‘management flexibility’ to address this.

3) Ensure that programs meet recognized principles of certification.

The American program embraces recognized principles of certification, including: truthfulness, transparency, sustainability, efficiency, engagement, impartiality, improvement and comprehensiveness. This is essential to ensure both public support and credibility for the programs.

4) Certification programs must be species-specific and comprehensive.

The United States Humane Care Merit Award Program is being concurrently updated to reflect, and be aligned with, the Canadian Code of Practice Assessment. As part of this process, the program will also receive input from multiple stakeholder groups, including research universities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), veterinarians and veterinary medical groups. Both programs have been specifically developed to address the farmed mink industry.

They both utilize current scientific research and best practice management techniques.

The Canadian Code of Practice Assessment has been developed through the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) in Canada. This organization has been responsible for the development of virtually all farmed animal species in Canada and has achieved this through broad industry representation and with the expertise of stakeholders. NFACC’s program is put together with numerous stakeholder groups, including the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, animal welfare representatives, researchers, government representatives, and producers.

5) Certification programs must be science-based and verified by independent experts.

Certification development committees have reviewed current global research and will incorporate it into further assessment criteria. For the Canadian program, a listing of the ‘Review of Scientific Research on Priority Issues’ can be found on the NFACC website (www.nfacc.ca).

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Third party verification for the Canadian mink sector is being conducted by an internationally recognized, professional auditing company, NSF International.

Meanwhile, the USA’s standard guidelines will be verified by an independent animal auditor organization. This will be a group formed of: members of the American Society of Animal Science; representatives from six leading American universities with recognized animal science departments; experts and animal welfare representatives from other livestock industry groups.

Another independent animal auditor group will be retained as the third party auditors.

6) The certification protocols must be available to the general public.

For the United States, the updated Standard Guidelines for the Operation of Mink Farms in the United States and the Humane Merit Award assessment program will be made available on the Fur Commission USA website and the American Mink Council website.

The Canadian Code of Practice Assessment program is made available to the public through the NFACC website and the Canada Mink Breeders Association website.

7) The verification system must be credible and impartial.

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Both the American and Canadian programs have hired a professional international third party audit company to conduct all the fur farms certification assessments. The expertise in animal health, behavior and farm management of this third party auditor will ensure public and consumer confidence in the assessment process.

All farms in the USA will be inspected over a 14 to 18 month period to allow for sequential evaluations during the subsequent production phase. A professional third party audit organization, both in the USA and in Canada, will be used to randomly select a percentage of the previously assessed farms for a re-evaluation of the assessment process.

This will further help assure the public of the credibility and impartiality of the assessment process.

8) Audit results of farms must be transparent.

The general farm assessment programs will be available on industry websites. Farm-specific assessments will be dealt with on an individual farm basis.

9) The certification will enable a process of continuous improvement.

The design of both programs will encourage individual farms to continually improve their level of compliance.

The programs themselves will be continuously reviewed and updated by scientific committees.

FURMARK also supports and recognizes NAFA Certified™ Farm-Raised Fur available at North American Fur Auctions (NAFA).

Learn more about the NAFA Certified™ guidelines at nafa.ca

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

CANADIAN CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE CARE AND HANDLING OF FARM-RAISED FOX. The Canadian code contains seven sections detailing the responsibilities of the producer

1. ACCOMMODATION AND HOUSING: pens, sheds, animal density, environmental enrichment, environmental management.

2. BIOSECURITY: access management, animal management, operational management.

3. FOOD AND WATER: nutrition, feed quality, water management 4. HEALTH AND WELFARE MANAGEMENT: veterinary care, fox health management, stock management.

5. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: handling, breeding, whelping, weaning and genetics.

6. HUMANE EUTHANASIA: criteria, methods, evidence 7. TRANSPORTATION: Fitness for transport, planning and preparing for transport

The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) Code development process was followed in the development of this Code of Practice which was updated in 2013.

A key feature of NFACC’s Code development process is the Scientific Committee. It is widely accepted that animal welfare codes, guidelines, standards or legislation should take advantage of the best available research.

A Scientific Committee review of priority animal welfare issues for the species being addressed provided valuable information to the Code Development Committee in developing this Code of Practice. The Scientific Committee report is peer reviewed and publicly available, enhancing the transparency and credibility of the Code.

The ‘Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Ranched Fox: Review of scientific research on priority issues’ developed by the Ranched Fox Code of Practice Scientific Committee is available on NFACC’s website (www.nfacc.ca).

Third party verification of the Canadian fox sector is being conducted by an internationally recognised professional auditing company, NSF International.

US FARM-RAISED FOX PROGRAM In 2018 the US Fox Shippers Council (USFSC) published a certification program for farm-raised fox. The program incorporates the following sections which details the responsibilities of the producer

ACCOMMODATION:

site, sheds, pens, nest boxes FOOD AND WATER:

feed preparation,

watering systems HEALTH AND DISEASE SANITATION TRANSPORTATION

Under the program producers are subject to third-party veterinary assessments which if passed are valid for two years. Although, not yet part of FURMARK the IFF is monitoring development of the program. Further information is available from USFSC.

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FURMARK NORTH AMERICAN WILD FUR FURMARK'S VISION

The wild fur programs are part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science

Transparency

FURMARK certified wild fur harvesters seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science.

FURMARK certified wild fur harvesters seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent inspection FURMARK certified wild fur harvesters agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS The fur industry has been working in close partnership with veterinary radiologists and engineers to evaluate trap parameters.

The fur industry has invested a lot into scientific research, working in close partnership with universities and veterinary pathologists, to develop its expertize in the study of captured animals.

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North American wild fur programs have to comply with a wide range of state, provincial, territorial and federal rules. All rules and standards are publicly available.

All wild fur pelts can be traced back to the individual trapper.

All North American wild fur programs have been independently verified.

Some of the most prestigious universities, such as Cornell University, and renowned experts have participated in the development and oversight of the programs.

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FURMARK North American Wild Fur WILD FUR REGULATION Wild fur in North America is subject to a wide-ranging system of laws, regulations, checks and controls that emphasize the sustainability and welfare of all fur-bearing species and protect endangered species. Ensuring population and environmental sustainability is key to how wild fur is harvested. The system of checks and balances operates at local, state, regional and provincial levels of government and also through far-reaching international agreements. It is necessarily complex as it spans different agencies, species, range-states, environments and national borders. The scientists who manage and set regulations ensure that wildlife populations are maintained in numbers that their environment can support. This regulation is important for a whole range of habitat considerations. In addition, specialized endangered species programs and the repopulation of extirpated habitats are also in place. Furthermore, government wildlife management programs are guided by the need to protect human health and safety, crops and livestock.

As a result of the different reasons for trapping, all of the wild fur harvest from North America is part of government wildlife management programs. These programs are controlled by government, whether by species, by seasons, or by quotas, to name just a few categories. The programs are managed under the careful

supervision of wildlife scientists and are subject to continuous research input and improvement. Anything that is harvested outside of government wildlife management programs would be illegal and not be permitted to be sold through the two auction houses in North America, both of which are located in Canada.

The North American management programs are utterly transparent. Every piece of regulation is subject to public hearings at the legislative level and at the community evel. Everybody who wants a voice is given the opportunity to participate throughout the program development.

The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS), which is a trilateral agreement between Canada, the EU and Russia, along with the parallel agreement between the EU and US, ensures that animal welfare is paramount in the wild fur harvest.

Canada and the US both comply with the terms of the aforementioned international agreements and meetings.

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FACTS Fur trapping in North America is a key activity for wildlife workers responsible for animal protection and conservation. Their work is both regulated and supported by law. It includes: • Protecting, monitoring and managing endangered species • The reintroduction of species into their original habitats • Public health & safety • The prevention of damage to property by wildlife • The protection of crops and domesticated animals from destruction by wildlife • Disease management to protect human and animal health • Controlling invasive species • The harvest of fur to be used in the international fur trade.

Trappers are required by law to adhere to strict rules, which include: • Mandatory licensing • Restricted seasons, these vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction • Agreed quotas to which trappers must adhere • The trapping of specific species designated as ‘abundant' • Adherence to local, state or provincial rules on trapping • The use of mandatory and regulated trapping devices and systems • Attendance of local, state or provincial educational programs • Trapping in designated areas only • Adherence to mandatory trap check laws.

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The relevant government must also monitor harvests to sustain healthy population levels in balance with habitats.

More than 4.5 million fur pelts are harvested annually in North America, with wild fur generating over $80 million for the harvesters. The absence of this trade would trigger dramatic increases in the populations of pelt-bearing species, posing a potential nuisance in some areas.

TRAPPING SUPPORTS RURAL LIFESTYLES Many harvesters depend on pelt money for their livelihood and, in many cases, entire rural and indigenous communities rely on this income for their economic viability. Trapping also has a big cultural significance and is essential for many areas to retain their identity and traditions.

WILD FUR STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES Wild fur programs vary widely and depend on region, species and other local factors. In North America, a wide range of state, provincial, territorial and federal rules are well established in order to cover these variable factors. Meanwhile, globally recognized standards include: • Two international organizations to control standards (ISO) • The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) • The USA - EU Agreed Minute • Best Management Practices (BMPs) • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) • All state, provincial or federal laws and regulations on trapping fur-bearing animals.

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NORTH AMERICAN WILD FUR SUPPLY CHAIN WILD FUR

FUR BUYERS

AUCTION HOUSES

DRESSERS & DYERS

AUCTION HOUSES & PRIVATE SOURCES

BROKERS & PELT DEALERS

PRIVATE USE

DRESSERS & DYERS

PRIVATE GOODS OR PRIVATE RETAIL

MANUFACTURERS

RETAILERS

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All programs detail different rules for each species. Wild fur programs are science-based and verified by independent experts who continuously improve and test traps and trapping systems. The various regulations are outlined below.

• In the USA, over 70 federal and state fish and wildlife agency professionals are involved in maintaining and improving standards. They include wildlife biologists, wildlife researchers, mechanical engineers, statisticians, foresters and wildlife technicians with expertise in the capture of wild fur-bearing species.

• More than 1,200 expert trappers and wildlife professionals have participated in field projects, and over 300 individual field projects have been conducted across 41 states.

• In Canada, a state-of-the-art facility has tested 612 types of traps on 17 species in both field and controlled environment tests. Projects have been conducted in six provinces, one territory and in three states. Over 100 trappers and technicians have been involved in the program since the 1980s.

• In the USA, 400 types of traps have been tested, including foothold traps, body grip traps, cage traps and live restraint snares. These tests have resulted in the development of 23 species-specific Best Management Practices.

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• The North American wild fur programs have been independently verified. Universities and veterinary pathologists have provided expertise in the study of dead and captured animals to help evaluate criteria based on the ISO protocol. Meanwhile, radiologists and mechanical engineers have helped to evaluate trap parameters, and computer simulation modeling has been employed in trap design.

WILD FUR VERIFICATION PROGRAMS ARE CREDIBLE AND IMPARTIAL The following Universities and experts have participated in the development and continuous improvement of the North American programs: • USA: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; The University of Georgia (Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Center and Veterinary Science School), Athens, Georgia; The University of Wyoming (Veterinary School), Laramie, Wyoming; The University of Missouri (Engineering Department and Veterinary School), Columbia, Missouri; Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi; The University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas; The University of Arizona, Tempe, Arizona.

• CANADA: Trent University; University of Ottawa; University of Prince Edward Island; University of Victoria; University of Montreal; Guelph University; Universite de Montreal.

• Universite du Quebec a Rimouski; Canadian Wildlife Health Center (UPEI, University of Calgary); Trent University; University of Ottawa; University of Victoria.

OVERSIGHT OF PROGRAMS Trappers in North America are required to acquire a trapping licence and comply with comprehensive harvesting regulations.

Conservation officers monitor and enforce state, provincial, and territorial trapping regulations by visiting trappers, conducting routine field patrols and inspecting trap lines. Government agencies also record, monitor, regulate and inspect wild fur harvests and shipments.

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Canada has more than 1,400 Wildlife Conservation or Enforcement Officers, the USA has 8,500. It is their job to enforce all of North America’s regulations for the protection of wildlife.

They work directly in the field, on a full-time basis, and have the power to lay charges against lawbreakers and to directly enforce all hunting and trapping activities.

In addition to this number, there are federal fisheries officers, guardian programs, police, stakeholder support workers and justice and wildlife or environmental management staff. They all work to administer programs and enforce regulations on a daily basis.

The fur trade is subject to thorough licensing, permitting and regulation by state, provincial, territorial and federal wildlife management agencies and by border trade control authorities. From the trapper harvesting on the land to the buyers, wholesale dealers, auction houses, importers and exporters; every single step of the trade is strictly controlled.

Regulations include the following: • National, state, provincial legislation (Endangered Species Acts) • State, provincial, territorial wildlife acts and regulations •

Regulation of trade through the Customs/Lacey Act, CITES(3), WAPRITA (Canada Wildlife Trade Legislation)

• Regulations on various federal agency properties

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(3) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

DETAILS OF WILD FUR PROGRAMS ARE EASILY AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC The AIHTS, Agreed Minute, ISO Standards and examples of federal, state, provincial and territorial rules are all available on the following websites: • cites.org • ec.gc.ca/international • Fur.ca • fws.gov • laws-lois.justice.gc.ca • tcc.export.gov

Online links to specific state and provincial trapping and wildlife harvesting requirements can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website of each state, territory and province. Science-based and peer-reviewed studies and tests on traps, trapping systems, furbearers and management systems are simply too numerous to list.

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THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (2016) AND THE NATIONAL FUR HARVEST DATABASE ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: • fishwildlife.org

ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES, BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR TRAPPING IN THE UNITED STATES IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: • fishwildlife.org

A GUIDE FOR TRAPPERS IN THE UNITED STATES: • Safety Animal Welfare Responsibility – Furbearer Conservation (2005).

Published by The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

CANADIAN BEST TRAPPING PRACTICES DOCUMENT: • fur.ca/category/conservation/ • fur.ca/fur-trapping/about-traps/

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS 1) Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) is an agreement between Canada, the European Union (EU) and Russia. It ensures the highest possible animal welfare standards for traps used in those countries, affecting a total of 19 different wild animal species. Under AIHTS rules, traps must be approved by the appropriate authorities and they must conform to AIHTS standards. More than 600 trap designs have been rigorously tested under AIHTS in Canada since it was ratified in 1999.

The agreement guarantees trade of specific wild animal species between signatory nations, providing the trap standards outlined in it are adhered to.

The United States (US) has a separate, but similar, agreement with the EU. 2) Agreed Minute In 1997, the US and the EU signed an ‘Agreed Minute' on humane standards for the trapping of fur-bearing animals. The Agreed Minute represents an international treaty commitment between the US and the EU. The Agreement on International Humane Trap Standards (AIHTS) continues to identify humane methods for the capturing of fur-bearing animals based upon strict performance evaluations, while the Agreed Minute reflects the US and EU commitment to the principles of the AIHTS. To comply with this agreement, the US has developed Best Management Practices to scientifically evaluate traps and trapping systems.

Animal welfare is always the priority for the fur industry, along with safety, efficiency, selectivity, and practicality.

Results of this research are provided to the general public, trappers, regulatory authorities and to state and federal wildlife agencies.

3) Best Management Practices Best Management Practices (BMPs) scientifically evaluate traps and trapping systems. These tests are continuously undertaken in over 40 US states and are species-specific and adapted for regional differences. For the purpose of developing these BMPs, trap performance criteria, or thresholds, have been established by the Furbearer Conservation Technical Work Group of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). These thresholds were based on the 1997 understanding reached between the EU and the US (EU/US Agreed Minute) with input from wildlife biologists and wildlife veterinarians. They provide a common framework for evaluating progress towards the use of more humane traps and trapping methods.

4) Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species The Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species (CITES) is another international agreement that regulates elements of the fur trade.

Under CITES, species in trade that might be harmed by overexploitation are carefully monitored and regulated to ensure international guidelines are followed. Most of the CITES-regulated North American fur-bearing species in trade are secure and not endangered but they are listed under Appendix II of CITES. This is simply because they are considered ‘lookalike’ species, meaning that they are similar in appearance to species that are endangered in other parts of the world. Under CITES, the importing country can request a certificate of origin that demonstrates compliance.

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TRACKING AND TRACING PELTS

5) ISO Standards The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed two international, science-based trap standards to test restraining and killing devices.These standards outline how traps should be tested regardless of the reason for trapping.

Key parts of the standards include: • Providing testing methods for the performance evaluation of traps in the key areas of: capture efficiency, animal welfare, selectivity and user safety • Sampling sizes for devices tested • Definitions of words • Trauma scales and classification of injuries • Length of time to death for devices that kill • Mechanical testing of trapping devices • Compound and field-testing protocols • Pathology protocols Definition of the ISO standards 109904 and 10990-5.

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ISO 10990-4 addresses the methods for testing killing-trap systems used on land or underwater. ISO 10990-5 covers methods for testing restraining traps. These ISO standards are integral to all the work done in North America to meet the commitments under the AIHTS and the Agreed Minute.

Protection, management and fur harvesting varies across US states, Canadian provinces and territories across North America. Professional wildlife managers adopt and implement regulations based on the scientific understanding of regional wildlife populations. Recognizing these differences, wild fur harvesters normally require a mandatory trapping licence that relates to their specific area and species. Through the course of a trapping season, this licence allows a trapper to harvest various species within the regulations. Law enforcement officers can inspect their trap lines or catch at any time. Within this same legal framework, pelt dealers must also purchase a licence and register with their state, provincial or territorial authority.

During, or at the end of, the trapping season, trappers have a multitude of options through which to sell their pelts. These options include (but are not limited to): • Auction companies • State, provincial and territorial trapper auctions • Pelt dealers • Private use, sale The transfer of custody of wild fur starts once the trappers choose where to sell their fur. Trappers are required by law to provide the seller with their contact information, trapping license number and a log of the number of species being sold. Once the sale takes place, this documentation will be associated with each pelt throughout the supply chain until reaching the auction house or pelt dealer.

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Wild fur trappers who choose to send their furs to the auction houses do so on a consignment basis. Before sorting and grading, each wild fur pelt is identified with a bar coded ticket that can be traced back to the individual trapper or source from which the pelts came and, once sold, forwarded to the fur purchaser.

These records and databases are maintained and updated regularly and allow the auction houses to: • Keep track of the origin of the fur and its status in the auction process.

• Ensure the sale of fur is properly invoiced.

This ensures that each trapper is fully compensated for the furs that he or she has provided, once they have been sold.

By law and regulation, collected raw fur pelts must be documented regardless of their position in the supply chain. Meanwhile, special permits are required for CITES Appendix II species.

FURMARK also supports and recognizes NAFA Certified™ Wild Fur available at North American Fur Auctions (NAFA).

Learn more about the NAFA Certified™ guidelines at nafa.ca

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RUSSIAN SABLE PROGRAMS FURMARK'S VISION

Russian sable programs are part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science

Transparency

FURMARK certified Russian sable farmers and harvesters seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science.

FURMARK certified Russian sable farmers and harvesters seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent inspection FURMARK certified Russian sable farmers and harvesters agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS Sable farming and trapping are regulated by Russian Federal Law on Veterinary Medicine and the Ministry of Natural Resources in Russia respectively.

The Russian auction house Sojuzpushnina, which only sells traceable skin, enhances transparency with certification and a tracking system.

Russian federal regulations on sable farming provide for objective assessment of the animal welfare in fur farms.

Moscow State Veterinary Academy has developed science-based regulations for keeping and breeding fur-farmed animals in Russia that meet European standards.

The tracking system enables to trace back the origin of sable skins and ensures all the necessary documentation is available.

Compliance with the rules, timing of hunting, as well as hunting limits are monitored by state hunting inspectors.

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Russian Sable

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Russian Farm-raised Sable The commercial breeding of sable started in the 1940s. There are two types of sable: Saltykov and Chernyi Sobol (Black Sable).

In 2018, the Russian fur farming industry published ‘Rules for keeping farmed fur animals in Russia’, based on European industry programs and recommendations from the Standing Committee of the Council of Europe.

The Moscow Veterinary Academy provided the scientific-basis to the regulations. The ‘Rules’ have since been included within the certification of fur farms in Russia so that the farms can be covered by FURMARK. In order to supply pelts to auction houses from 2020, fur farms must be FURMARK certified.

The ‘Rules’ provide assessment criteria for living conditions, nutrition, health, behavior and methods of euthanasia.

Farms are assessed by third-party experts from the Scientific Research Institute of Fur Farming Rabbit Farming (NIIPZK). To receive a certificate, each farm is evaluated three times a year (autumn, winter and spring) and a total 100 Sable cages are examined.

Certificates are valid for three years before they need to be renewed. The experts assess the level of animal welfare for each criteria and the subsequent scores are then aggregated to determine the level of the entire farm.

The ‘Rules’ provide a score card evaluation of the welfare of farmed fur animals and provide an indicator of the parameters for the evaluation criteria of animal welfare at fur farms.

THE FARM IS ASSESSED USING A 3-TIERED SCIENCE-BASED SYSTEM: • LEVEL 1 – A high level of animal welfare • LEVEL 2 – An average level of animal welfare • LEVEL 3 – A low level of animal welfare

If the farm does not comply with one or more of the requirements laid out in the documents of the regulatory framework and it receives a below par assessment score, the inspector shall issue a written order for the farm to rectify the issues identified. If a farm subsequently remedies any problems, it has the right to request an ‘extraordinary inspection’ within 6 months of submitting a second application for certification.

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Furmark

FARM-RAISED SABLE IN RELATION TO THE FURMARK CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES 1) Farm-raised sable certification meets recognised principles of certification: i) The farm-raised sable program has been developed based on European standards.

2) Farm-raised sable certification is species-specific and comprehensive: i) The assessment of living conditions is made using dimensions specifically calculated in relation to the size of the sable.

3) Farm-raised sable certification is science-based and verified by independent experts: i) The Moscow Veterinary Academy provided the scientific basis. ii) Farms are assessed by third party experts from the Scientific Research Institute of Fur Farming Rabbit Farming (NIIPZK).

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4) The certification protocols are available to the general public: i) They can be found at www.rpms.ru

5) The verification system is credible and impartial: i) To receive a certificate, each farm is evaluated by NIIPZK three times a year (autumn, winter and spring). This involves the inspection of 100 Sable cages. Certificates are valid for three years before they need to be renewed.

6) The assessment results are transparent: i) The aggregated results will be published either online at: www. rpms.ru, or be made available upon request from the Russian Fur Union. ii) Brands will also have access to the results of the assessments.

7) Farm-raised sable certification enables a process of continuous improvement: i) In the case of non-compliance, the inspector shall issue a written order to eliminate the identified non-conformities. This allows farmers to improve their farms.

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RUSSIAN FARM-RAISED SABLE: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 1. HEALTH OF ANIMALS The health of animals is evaluated by inspection. Good health is ensured through appropriate living conditions, care, feeding and vaccination.

CRITERIA • Injuries • Disease • Parasitic and invasive diseases

2. FEEDING AND WATER SUPPLY This parameter is evaluated based on the animal’s body condition and feed consumption and enacted via visual inspection and weighting. Conformance is ensured by providing good quality feed mixture in sufficient quantities and with enough variety.

CRITERIA • Feed supply, quality and variety • Fasting days • Water supply

3. LIVING CONDITIONS CRITERIA • Comfort during rest • Microclimate • Freedom of movement

5. EUTHANASIA

4. BEHAVIOUR The behaviour of animals is evaluated through visual inspections. Control parameters are observable behavioural abnormalities.

CRITERIA • Separation time • Level of behaviour • Emotion towards humans

CRITERIA • Specialist qualifications • Euthanasia procedure

Note: Each criteria has three levels. Each level has a set of strict parameters.

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

PRINCIPLES

CRITERIA

SCORE

TOTAL

4

3

2

1

0

Diseases

5

4

3

2

1

Parasitic and invasion diseases

4

3

2

1

0

Feed supply. Feed quality and variety

5

4

3

2

1

Fasting days

4

3

2

1

0

Water supply

5

4

3

2

1

Comfort during rest

4

3

2

1

0

Microclimate

5

4

3

2

1

Freedom of movement

4

3

2

1

0

Staff qualifications

4

3

2

1

0

Euthanasia procedure

5

4

3

2

1

Separation time

4

3

2

1

0

Level of behaviour

5

4

3

2

1

Emotional state

4

3

2

1

0

HEALTH

FEEDING AND WATER SUPPLY

LIVING CONDITIONS

EUTHANASIA

BEHAVIOUR

Main criteria total (max score: 62) BONUS SCORES IMPROVED LIVING CONDITIONS (MAX SCORE: 2) Describe, what the score was given for: ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION PROCESS (MAX SCORE: 4) Describe, what the score was given for: ADDITIONAL CAGE ELEMENTS FOR COMFORT IMPROVEMENT (MAX XCORE: 2) Describe, what the score was given for: Total bonus score (max score: 8) Total score (max score: 70)

EXPERT’S REPORT FORM FOR EVALUATION OF THE ANIMAL WELFARE ON RUSSIAN FUR FARMS

Injuries

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Russian Wild Sable The trapping and trading of furs has been government-controlled and economically significant in Russia since the 9th Century when furs were used as an equivalent for money. Taxes to princes were mainly paid with fur at that time, and the fur trade was the main source of gold and silver for the Medieval Russian state. One motivation for the expansion of the Russian state into Siberia between the 15th to 19th centuries was for the access to new sources of fur. Russian borders in Siberia largely coincided with the range of available sable.

There are 55,000 professional trappers and 25,000 part-time trappers in Russia, with the total number of people economically dependent on the fur trade estimated at 400,000. Sable trapping is regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation and its regional branches.

Trapping is of paramount importance for the socio-economic stability of the indigenous populations in the rural regions in the north of Russia, Siberia and the Russian Far East. The fur trade provides the economic opportunity to acquire what they cannot get from nature or self-produce.

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Indigenous people have the right to harvest any animal all year round to maintain a traditional lifestyle although they are controlled by government and inspectors. Each indigineous hunter must have a hunting licence, prove that they are a member of the indigenous people of the North Community and hunts because of the traditional lifestyle. They then receive a special ‘indigenous people’ stamp in

their license that allows them certain benefits. The stamp is subject to review at which point the indigenous hunter must prove that their circumstances have not changed. Indigenous hunters must declare how many skins they have in order that the harvesting volumes are also under control of the inspectors.

Russia is a signatory to the Agreement of International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). Indigenous hunters use traps that are considered as humane in the AIHTS. The Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia is the authority responsible for the implementation of the AIHTS agreement.

As well as AIHTS, a memorandum of understanding was established in 2017 with the Fur Institute of Canada on humane trapping.

Hunting regions range from the Taiga zone on the eastern slopes of the Urals to the Pacific coastline. Hunting and trapping territories are granted for long-term rent, and so it is in the interest of the landowner to preserve and potentially increase the number of sable on their property. To trap sable, each hunter is required to have a licence. A hunter can only harvest the allowed number of sable in accordance with the quota in their region. In each region there is a hunting supervisory authority that conducts spot checks on the status of hunting grounds, hunters and trappers.

Based on official calculations, the population of sable is estimated at a minimum of 1.3 million. It is this figure that is used to calculate production quotas.

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In 2018, the IFF commissioned an independent study to monitor the number of wild sables in Russia to ensure that they are sourced sustainably. Once this study is complete, recommendations will be made on how to monitor and maintain the optimal sable population level for harvesting purposes.

FEDERAL TAX CODE: •

FEDERAL HUNTING ACT: •

•

•

• •

•

•

Article 2: Basic Principles of Regulation of Hunting and Conservation of Hunting of Animals 5. The methods and gears used for the harvest of animals have to be humane and avoid cruelty.

Article 19: Indigenous people have rights to harvest any wild animals all year round and without any permission.

Article 22: Limitations and Restrictions of Hunting 2. Gears and methods used for hunting have to meet International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS).

Article 24: Sable is to be harvested in accordance with annual quotas established by the provincial governments and approved on a federal level.

The quotas are dynamic and established based on the data collected by state monitoring of a number, age, number and structure of the population.

Article 333.3: A hunter must pay a royalty in order to receive a harvest permit. The royalty is about EUR 1.6 for every sable. If they have paid for three permits, they are only allowed to harvest three sable.

FEDERAL ACT ‘ON ANIMALS’: •

Article 12: Basic Principles of the State Management of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Animals: Any use of the animal must be made with methods that prevent cruelty and suffering of the animal.

RULES OF HUNTING: •

•

•

Section VII: Requirements to Capturing, Trapping and Shooting of Hunting Animals 51. The capturing, trapping and shooting of hunted animals must meet be humane and avoid cruelty.

52. It is unlawful to: 52.1.1 Use conventional steel-jaw holding traps for the harvest of sable (and others).

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TRAP CERTIFICATION

TRACEABILITY Once the skin is harvested, the state body checks it for disease and also for a trapping permit. A veterinary certificate is then issued by the state body and supplied with the tags of the state veterinary administration. The certificate is stored on an electronic database called Mercury that allows the tracing of pelts from trapping to auction house.

In 2016, the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgystan) introduced mandatory labelling of fur products with RFID chips. Violation of the law leads to significant fines and the confiscation of goods and results in a criminal charge. The introduction of this labelling system has, therefore, created a traceability tool that has clamped down on the illegal circulation of fur products in the Russian Federation. It has also created equal business conditions for all market participants and allows consumers to verify the origin of their goods.

Russia’s trap certification system was established on the basis of ‘Centerokhotkontrol’ (The Control Information and Analytic Centre of Hunting Animals and Their Habitats) in 2016. Four standards were developed and approved for traps and testing procedures in accordance with ISO documents. The resulting procedure requires laboratory and field tests (carried out using state experimental hunting enterprise ‘Mechshera’), after which the results are analysed and, if a sufficiently high score is achieved, a certificate for the certified trap is issued.

The four main trap producers in Russia: • Steel Element, City of Kirov • Tropa (Path), City of Kirov • Sreduralavtostroy, Ural Region • TONAR, City of Barnaul In order to promote an exchange of data on trapping, a Memorandum of Understanding between The Control Information and Analytic Centre of Hunting Animals, The Habitats of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and The Fur Institute of Canada was signed in 2017.

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WILD SABLE IN RELATION TO THE FURMARK CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES 1) Wild sable certification meets recognised principles of certification: i) The wild sable certification program operates in line with national and international standards.

2) Wild sable certification is species-specific and comprehensive: i) The hunting quotas are based on a 2018 independent study to monitor the number of wild sable in Russia. This ensures that sable is sustainably sourced.

3) Wild sable certification is science-based and verified by independent experts: i) Gears and methods used for hunting must meet International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). ii) The trap certification system and standards were developed and approved in accordance with ISO Standards. The procedure requires laboratory and field tests (carried out using the state experimental hunting enterprise ‘Mechshera’), after which the results are analysed and, if a sufficiently high score is reached, a certificate a certificate for the certified trap is issued.

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4) The certification protocols are available to the general public: i) Sojuzpushnina Auction issues a certificate of conformity for sable that is based on all of the documentation received with fur products. Find out more at http://www. sojuzpushnina.ru/en/s/2/

5) The verification system is credible and impartial: i) The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation oversees wild sable hunting.

6) The assessment results are transparent: i) The aggregated results will be published either online www.rpms. ru or be available upon request from the Russian Fur Union ii) Brands will also have access to the results of the assessments.

7) Wild-sable certification enables a process of continuous improvement: i) In order to promote an exchange of data on trapping and ensure continuous improvement, a Memorandum of Understanding between The Control Information and Analytic Centre of Hunting Animals, The Habitats of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and The Fur Institute of Canada was signed in 2017.

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RUSSIAN SABLE SUPPLY CHAIN FUR FARMS

FARMRAISED FUR

• Farms must comply with ‘Rules for keeping farmed fur animals in Russia.’

• Farms are assessed by the third party experts from the Scientific Research Institute for Fur Farming Rabbit Farming (NIIPZK).

WILD FUR

TRAPPING REGION

• Sable populations are closely monitored.

• Each hunting region is given an official quota to ensure the sustainable use of sable.

LAND HOLDERS

AUCTION HOUSE

• Upon entry, an auction tag with a unique identification number is attached to each pelt.

The tag contains information about the supplier.

• Each pelt is sold with a SOBOL label (the officially registered trademark of Russian Sable), a certificate of origin and veterinary certificates.

• Carry out government-controlled activities to increase the number of wildlife species and ensure the conservation of animals.

HUNTERS & TRAPPERS

• Hunters are required to hold a trapping licence and to use certified traps.

• A regional hunting supervisory authority conducts spot checks on the status of hunting grounds, hunters and trappers.

DRESSERS & DYERS VETERINARY CHECKS

MANUFACTURERS

• Once the animal is harvested, the state body checks for a trapping licence and checks the pelt for disease.

• A veterinary tag is attached to the pelt containing a unique code for the hunting region and a reference to the veterinarian’s certificate.

RETAILERS

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SWAKARA PROGRAM FURMARK'S VISION

Swakara fur programs are part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science

Transparency

FURMARK certified swakara farmers seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science.

FURMARK certified swakara farmers seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent inspection FURMARK certified swakara farmers agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS

Namibian Swakara board has an established Code of Practice that members adhere to.

The Code of Practice has clear rules on proving traceability and record keeping.

Additional rules on auditing and compliance have been added to the Code of Practice to support FURMARK.

The Code of Practice sets out details on animal welfare, humane euthanasia, environmental management, husbandry practices and quality control.

The Code of Practice and swakara farms’ compliance information will be available to the public.

Swakara farm auditing is conducted by third party inspectors from the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry who must visit the farms at least once a year.

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Swakara

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South West African Karakul (Swakara) has been farmed in Southern Africa for more than 110 years. Around 70,000 Swakara pelts are now produced each year. These are all sourced from rural farmers, as Swakara thrives in arid, desertlike conditions. As a result, Swakara production supports many indigenous communities.

The Swakara board (the regulating body of the industry) oversees the production of Swakara pelts and wool in accordance with the Namibian Karakul Pelts and Wool Act 14 of 1982. Swakara pelts are produced under various national legislations, the Farm Assured Namibian (FAN) Meat scheme being the most comprehensive. The FAN Meat Scheme was adopted by the Namibian Government on 29 September, 1999. The Swakara board also created the ‘Swakara Code of Practice Standards for the Production and Marketing of Pelts’ which, on top of the FAN Meat Scheme, sets out details on the humane euthanasia of Swakara, environmental management, husbandry practices, quality control, traceability/ record keeping, animal protection and other areas.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Terrestrial Animal Health Code Guidelines for Animal Welfare have provided information for the Code of Practice (CoP). The CoP is based on the global principles for animal welfare, better known as the ‘Five Freedoms’. These production guidelines are furthermore embedded into various national laws, enabling the entire country to produce livestock according to internationally accepted practices.

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Namibian Swakara farmers initiated the introduction of this code and participated in all stages of its development. Their commitment to the code

is based on true ownership. Namibian farmers understand that the most important factors affecting Swakara welfare are the attitude, skills and behaviour of the farmer and the farm workers in providing sound husbandry. The guiding principle of the CoP is to ensure that producers are compliant, whilst also ensuring the necessary level of credibility to satisfy local and international institutions overseeing animal welfare, product quality and safety standards.

To complement the Swakara CoP, detailed rules have been developed to outline regulation surrounding auditing and compliance.

In order to be FURMARK certified, all Swakara farmers must apply for a CoP certificate. After the certificate is issued, the farmers will be inspected by a Swakara Board representative.

Following this internal compliance, the producers must complete an annual self-audit and be subject to a third party audit inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) and by Private Veterinary Services. All producers will also sign a self-declaration stating that all production protocols have been followed.

The Directorate of Veterinary Services verify that the pelts destined for export are treated and handled according to internationally recognised animal health specifications.

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1. SWAKARA BOARD INSPECTION: a. Certified auditors from the Namibian Swakara board will conduct on-site inspections of the care and handling of lambs, the pelt production and of marketing processes, facilities and equipment.

2. SELF-AUDIT: a. All members are required to conduct annual internal audits of their management system.

3. INSPECTION BY MAWF OR PRIVATE VETERINARY SERVICES: a. This includes inspections of the care and handling of lambs, facilities, equipment, management systems and records.

4. EXTERNAL AUDITS a. The CoP is audited by external, certified auditing bodies, as the need arises.

SWAKARA CERTIFICATION IN RELATION TO FURMARK CERTIFICATION PRINCIPLES 1) Swakara Certification meets recognised principles of certification: i) The Swakara certification operates in line with national and international standards.

2) Swakara Certification is species-specific and comprehensive: i) The assessment system is holistic and incorporates the entire supply chain. ii) It is specific to the lamb. The construction of the farm’s facilities must meet OIE guidelines around animal size.

3) Swakara Certification is science-based and verified by independent experts: i) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Terrestrial Animal Health Code Guidelines for Animal Welfare have provided the basis for the Code of Practice (CoP). ii) Based on the global principles for animal welfare, better known as the ‘Five Freedoms’. iii) The electrical stunners approved by the certification board are built according to the specifications in the Report by the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

4) The certification protocols must be available to the general public: i) This will be published in 2020 as part of the FURMARK program.

5) The verification system must be credible and impartial: i) Certified auditors from the Namibian Swakara board will conduct on-site inspections of the care and handling of lambs, the pelt production and of marketing processes, facilities and equipment. ii) The MAWF or Private Veterinary Services will inspect the care and handling of lambs, facilities, equipment and management and system records. iii) To ensure this system is entirely credible and impartial, the CoP itself can be audited by external, certified auditing bodies.

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Furmark

6) The assessment results of farms must be transparent: i) The assessment results of farms are transparent and will be available upon request from the Swakara Board or from the IFF.

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7) Swakara Certification enables a process of continuous improvement: i) The Swakara CoP includes a ‘Training and Competency Record’ to keep track of staff training and to ensure appropriate staff attainment levels and the wellbeing of the livestock.

(1) In order to stay informed about the ever-changing welfare measures, product qualities, safety measures and techniques, producers and staff are encouraged to participate in topic-related seminars offered by various organizations.

ii) If a farm is found to have a case of minor non-compliance, the member is informed and expected to rectify it before the subsequent visit. Similarly, in the case of major non-compliance the member will be issued with a corrective action request. iii) Members must perform self-audits and return them to the Swakara Board every 12 months and thereafter annually.

In preparation for joining the FURMARK program, the Swaraka Board is looking closely at issues of countryside management, especially predator management, to ensure they are wildlife-friendly.

It is expected that, by 2020 auction houses selling Swakara will be able to issue a certificate to show pelts have met FURMARK requirements.

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SWAKARA SUPPLY CHAIN

FARM

•

• •

Register for FAN MEAT scheme. Livestock are given a brand number that allows for the traceability of livestock movement.

Register for Swakara Code of Practice membership.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) / Veterinary officer visits the farm to assess FAN and complete a Swakara audit.

SWAKARA

BREEDING

MEAT

PELTING

PELTS MARKED

• The farmer’s code is marked on the skin with an industrial crayon, and also via a bar code.

AGRA Ltd (LOCAL)

• The local marketing agent ensures quality control by sorting and grading pelts.

• The pelts are recorded on an electronic system. This enables pelts to be traced back to the bale. It will show all the farmers who had pelts in a specific bale.

KOPENHAGEN FUR

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Furmark

AUCTION HOUSES AND BROKERS FURMARK'S VISION

Auction houses and brokers are part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science

Transparency

FURMARK certified auction houses and brokers seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science.

FURMARK certified auction houses and brokers seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent Inspection FURMARK certified auction houses and brokers agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS Auction houses such as Saga and more recently NAFA already utilize science-based traceability systems to ensure animal welfare and farm hygiene standards are met.

All FURMARK constituent programs covering animal welfare and traceability are science-based.

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From 2020, FURMARK certified furs will be traded at auction houses and be fully traceable.

FURMARK incorporates a traceability system, ensuring that a FURMARK certified skin can be traced back through the supply chain to the certified source.

A pilot traceability scheme has run since autumn 2018 with renowned independent experts who are experienced in textile traceability.

The auction houses’ requirement that specific programs are FURMARK certified from 2020 further supports independent inspection.

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Auction Houses

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Furmark

Fur Harvesters Auction Inc.

North American Fur Auctions (NAFA)

Across the globe, there are five main auction houses trading in farm-raised and wild fur.

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Saga Furs

Sojuzpushnina Kopenhagen Fur

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Furmark

FUR HARVESTERS AUCTION INC. Fur Harvesters Auction Inc (FHA) is located in North Bay, Ontario, Canada and is the only trapper-owned and trapper-operated fur auction house in the world.

KOPENHAGEN FUR Owned by Denmark’s mink breeders, Kopenhagen Fur is the world’s largest fur auction house.

Having been in business for over 80 years, Kopenhagen Fur is steeped in tradition but with an ongoing aim to innovate. Kopenhagen Fur is cooperatively owned by the members of the Danish Fur Breeders Association, founded in 1930. In 1946, the association acquired 'Kjøbenhavns Pelscentral' and renamed it Danish Fur Auctions. Since then, the auction house has expanded to a staff of about 400 dedicated professionals. Today, Kopenhagen Fur is the name for both the association and the auction house itself.

Located just outside of Copenhagen in Glostrup, Kopenhagen Fur holds five auctions a year and trades almost 30 million mink pelts, as well as trading in fox, Swakara, chinchilla and seal pelts.

NORTH AMERICAN FUR AUCTION (NAFA)

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Based in Toronto, Canada and dating back to 1670, North American Fur Auctions (NAFA) is the oldest fur auction house in the world. The company holds competitive auctions three to five times per year. These auctions are the principal method of selling the world’s most diverse collection of high quality wild fur pelts, along with farmraised mink and a small collection of fox, to the international market.

SAGA FURS Saga Furs is a full service auction house and the only publicly listed fur auction company in the world. It was established in 1938 and is situated outside of Helsinki, Finland.

Saga Furs sources pelts from Europe and North America and offers the world’s broadest selection of superior farmed furs. Pelts are graded to form homogenous lots for sales, and customers can trust that every lot sold meets the quality description given.

Saga® Fox and Finnraccoon are 100% certified. Meanwhile, the percentage of certified mink is increasing.

During its four annual auctions, Saga Furs sells pelts to companies across the globe. Between 2017-2018 it employed around 350 people.

Saga Furs is the pioneer in initiating, monitoring and reporting responsible practices. It introduced the first and most extensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy in the fur business and joined the ‘United Nations Global Compact Initiative’ in 2008.

SOJUZPUSHNINA Located in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Sojuzpushnina was established in the 1930s and was, until 2003, a unitary state enterprise (USE). It is currently an all-union, self-supporting, foreign trade association. There are three to five auctions a year in St. Petersburg selling a total of about 600,000 sable pelts. Russia is the only nation to offer sable (branded with the label ‘Sobol’).

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Brokers

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The buying of fur at international auctions is typically conducted through fur brokers because of their expertise on skin quality and skills with logistics, taxation, insurance and financing. The broker buys millions of fur pelts on behalf of their manufacturing customers (the buyers). Many brokers operate family run businesses with a long history in the trade.

Brokers will typically arrive at the auction house several days before the sale begins in order to review what is on offer. A catalogue will list the ‘lots’ that are to be sold. The broker will review these lots and seek samples in order to view quality and size.

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Brokers are an important part of the natural fur supply chain, therefore the FURMARK traceability system will require brokers to record movements of fur in and out of their position if they are holding stocks intended for onward movement.

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DRESSERS AND DYERS FURMARK'S VISION

The Dressers and Dyers program is part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science

Transparency

FURMARK certified dressers and dyers seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science.

FURMARK certified dressers and dyers seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent inspection FURMARK certified dressers and dyers agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS

The fur industry has invested a lot into scientific research to develop the best dressing and dyeing solutions for the customer, the product and the environment.

FURMARK certified dressers and dyers are committed to using chemicals within agreed limits which has received full oversight from a third-party testing institute.

The FURMARK label guarantees independent third-party inspections have been randomly conducted in relation to the assessment of the certified chemical process.

The dressing and dyeing of fur follows strict compliance rules and guidelines on the use of chemicals.

FURMARK certified dressers and dyers have government oversight on factories’ environmental footprint.

Companies need to make declarations accepting culpability for any failures to uphold their commitments.

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Dressers and Dyers

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Furmark

Dressers and dyers are committed to operating to high standards of reputation and transparency. That is why, under FURMARK, a new chemical standard has been developed with a third-party testing institute.

Dressing refers to the preservation of fur from its unprocessed state. Dyeing refers to changing the colour of the hairs of the fur. Both of these processes require industrial and chemical methods. Consequently, the fur sector has spent a great deal of time and effort working with these skilled professionals to find the best sustainable solutions for the customer, the product and the environment.

In April 2011, dressers and dyers from around the world decided to cooperate in order to enhance the role of their profession within the fur trade.

The result was the International Fur Dressers and Dyers Association (IFDDA). All FURMARK certified dressers and dyers must be part of the IFDDA. IFDDA FURMARK-certified dressers and dyers shall satisfy three important criteria: 1. Conformity with Legal Environmental Responsibilities, IFDDA members are subject to competent national legislation authorising them to run their factory.

2. Declaration of approved chemical use within specified facilities and validation by onsite assessment.

As a part of FURMARK, there is also random onsite assessment by the independent third-party testing institute to ensure that declarations are correct. A pilot project with FILK will begin in Q2 2019.

3. Laboratory verification IFDDA members shall submit samples to the independent testing institute.

If the chemicals are not within the agreed limits set by the standard, then the factory will be subject to further follow-up assessments. If it cannot meet the chemical standard, then the factory will be excluded from the FURMARK program.

TRACEABILITY

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The IFDDA have developed a chemical standard for the fur trade with oversight from a third-party testing institute, FILK. The standard includes a list of agreed chemicals and the limits applied to those chemicals. The standard covers three types of business: • Fur Dressers • Fur Dressers and Dyers • Fur Dyers

The IFDDA are committed to ensuring that the protocols are transparent. In order to be part of the FURMARK program, IFDDA members must record the movement of FURMARK certified pelts in and out of their possession.

Selected IFDDA members are currently participating in a traceability pilot scheme that will be rolled to all IFDDA members in 2019.

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FURMARK CRITERIA

2.

Government oversight of environmental footprint of factory.

1.

3.

Declaration of approved FURMARK chemical use within specified facility validated by an onsite assessment.

Laboratory verification to ensure safety of end product.

A FURMARK approved dressing & dyeing company

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MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS FURMARK'S VISION

Manufacturers and retailers are part of FURMARK – a world-class, comprehensive certification and traceability program that covers sustainability, animal welfare and the dressing and dyeing of fur

KEY PRINCIPLES

Science

Transparency

FURMARK certified manufacturers and retailers seek to ensure the highest quality standards by using robust science.

FURMARK certified manufacturers and retailers seek to lead by example by demonstrating truthfulness and openness.

Independent inspection FURMARK certified manufacturers and retailers agree to the principle of impartial verification systems.

KEY ELEMENTS

FURMARK covers the entire supply chain, giving assurance to all the parties involved with its science-based certification program.

FURMARK enables retailers and brands to have complete assurance and confidence when buying natural fur.

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FURMARK is cooperating with manufacturers to explore a FURMARK marking system in the manufacturing process.

Discussions are under way with retailers to include relevant FURMARK information at the point of sales, ensuring that consumers can benefit from the complete transparency.

Individual consumers can access third party verified information on fur products they purchase from FURMARK certified manufacturers and retailers.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Manufacturers

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After manufacturers receive treated pelts from the dressers and dyers, fur can then be made into garments, accessories or home furnishings. Manufacturers are highly skilled and individual, producing fashionable and chic garments that have a timeless appeal. The fur industry is fortunate that in some of the major centers of fur manufacturing, such as Italy, Greece, Germany, New York, Montreal and Toronto, there are some of the best craftspeople who often use a mixture of traditional and modern techniques for hand cutting, stranding and sewing fur.

It is still the case that many skilled, independent furriers design and handmake their own fur coats and sell them in their own specialist boutiques or make them bespoke for clients. In the

mainstream retail landscape, many designers working for larger brands apply fur to their designs as trim or accessories to impart an affordable ‘ultra-luxury’ look to certain products.

Manufacturers are a key component of the supply chain and, therefore, the FURMARK program will play an integral part of the manufacturing process. This includes the traceability system that is being developed and tested by an independent third party.

The system will ensure that manufacturers cannot make false claims about FURMARK pelts that they are using within finished garments. This process will also be supported by an external audit, conducted as part of the FURMARK program.

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Warranty Card

Style: Serial:

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Retailers

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The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

Examples of Hangtags

Furmark Labels

Read more at furmark.com

Examples of Hangtags

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Information around fur retail sales is distributed through a variety of channels, including online websites and point of sales materials inside department stores and boutiques.

Additionally, family-owned furriers still play an important role in promoting the sale, repair and re-modeling of fur garments. They also play a key role in educating consumers about fur.

ROLE OF FURMARK AT MANUFACTURER AND RETAIL LEVEL

Detachable Necklabel or Sleevelabel

FURMARK will be an identifiable mark of quality and assurance that will be displayed either in-store or on garments in order to give consumers confidence in their purchase. The IFF have run preliminary online surveys and in-depth telephone interviews in order to gather insights from fur retailers affiliated with retail stores from across the globe (specifically, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North and South America). We have been investigating retailers’ views on FURMARK and learning which aspects of the certification are particularly important to them as we prepare for the launch and global rollout.

Research showed that over 80% of retailers welcome a scheme such as FURMARK. Retailers believe that, when introduced, it will be helpful in enabling consumers to more confidently choose natural fur. In particular, retailers see a clear role for the IFF to support them by supplying information materials on FURMARK and staff training materials. The IFF is exploring different ideas of how best to conduct an effective campaign for both retailers and consumers. For instance, given existing labelling regulations, FURMARK will not be able to mandate specific labelling on fur items. Instead, various options are available for retailers to offer relevant FURMARK information to consumers at the point of sale. This could allow marketing collateral on FURMARK to be included with purchases. FURMARK information could also be delivered through retailers’ omnichannel platforms. As part of IFF’s online retail strategy, a potential FURMARK smartphone app could be in place to provide information concerning fur’s sustainability and ethics.

All insights provided by the retailers through this research will inform IFF’s strategies to promote FURMARK. Ultimately, FURMARK will help brands and retailers offer reassurance to consumers around the world. Specific approaches to the formats and designs of collaterals will be developed further as we move towards 2020.

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Beyond 2020

The FURMARK program will continue to evolve beyond 2020 and will seek to incorporate new and emerging programs, providing they meet FURMARK’s three key principles.

GOOD4FUR in China, Chinchilla and European Rabbit. are examples of these developing programs.

CHINA In order to manage and promote the implementation of these new guidelines, the Fur Animal Farming Committees of the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) co-ordinated with the State Forestry Bureau to leverage the SFB's member network in five major provinces (Shandong, Hebei, Li-aoning, Heilongjiang and Jilin). A one-year transition period was given for the implementation of the guidelines. During this period, the State Forestry Bureau will inspect and supervise the breeding of mink, foxes and raccoons according to the provisions laid out in the guidelines. Any newly built or reconstructed farming sites will have to comply with the updated criteria from the outset, without this transitional period applying.

GOOD4FUR In 2018, the first GOOD4FUR certifications were issued. This marked a new era in the standardization, processing and modernization of Chinese farmraised fur.

and Breeding Technical Directions’ and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture’s ‘Administrative Measures on Livestock and Poultry License’, with reference to European WelFur standards. These standards comprise three parts: hardware, animal welfare and quality of breeders. Animal welfare accounts for the highest proportion of the certification and is evaluated over four aspects, namely: good feeding, good housing, good health and good behavior. Hence the name of the certification: GOOD4FUR. The certification lasts for six months, and the process was carried out under strict controls and in an orderly way. Many farms around the country actively submitted applications. From November to December 2017, CLIA, IFF and a group of experts jointly evaluated on-site. The expert group was selected randomly, consisting of three Chinese experts and one foreign expert for each evaluation. Based on animal welfare and industry development, GOOD4FUR has set an example for China's farms, and its introduction has marked a milestone in China’s fur industry as farming entered a new era of standarisation and modernisation.

Currently, there are 13 GOOD4FUR farms, although the program aims to expand in 2019 as more farms meet the high assessment standards.

CHINCHILLA

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GOOD4FUR standards are based on the Chinese Forestry Administration’s ‘Fur-Bearing Animal Farming

By 2020, FURMARK programs will cover the overwhelming majority of fur animals bred on farms worldwide.

The International Mark of Responsible and Sustainable Natural Fur

However, this will exclude chinchillas as the dedicated FURMARK program is yet to be developed. Nevertheless, despite less than 1% of all pelts worldwide being produced on farms originating from chinchilla, the fur sector has an ambition to certify chinchilla breeding globally and in as short time as possible.

Almost all chinchillas are bred in Central and Eastern Europe, Denmark and Latin America. The goal is to develop one global chinchilla FURMARK program to offer certification in all these producing areas. There are several specifics in chinchilla breeding that make this goal a complex task in comparison to other farmed animal programs. Firstly, the welfare science available for chinchilla is not

as comprehensive as it is for other animal species, such as mink or fox.

Secondly, the production and the market are both smaller-scale and more decentralized. Finally, the production systems and technologies vary to a considerable extent.

So far, the fur sector has analysed the market, current best practices and various local binding and non-binding rules and guidelines. In the next step, scientists will assess the impact of the various production practices in chinchilla welfare, close the knowledge gaps and design the pathways towards assessing the animal welfare on farm. After the protocols are drafted, implementation of the system will be developed, tested and launched.

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