USA: California New Law Bans the sale of Fur Items

USA: California New Law Bans the sale of Fur Items

The illegal trade and poaching of wild endangered animals for highly priced products compels countries and states to establish strict legislation against the sale of such items to reduce the hunting and killing of wild life. 

The state of California has become the first in America to prohibit the sale, trade and manufacture of fur items and products under the new legislation, the bill AB-44 signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on the 13^th of October 2019 and will take effect in January 2023.

The legislation established that any distribution or sale of clothing, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats or key chains that contain fur is illegal and carries a civil penalty. More than a 100 million animals all around the world are victims to the fur industry where they are subjected to suffering and often times, death as reported by the Humane Society of the United States.

The legislation will begin the long required change in the law in regards of the hunting and mistreatment of wild animals for human needs and pleasure. Hawaii and New York have introduced similar legislation and will hopefully also establish stronger and permanent laws.

In addition to the AB-44 the Governor has also signed SB-313 that will prohibit animals such as elephants, bears and other wild animals in circuses, and further implement a bobcat management plan to protect the species which has become endangered over the years through trophy hunting, trapping and killing of Bobcats.

The legislation introduces a permanent and longtime protection for wild animals who have long time been exploited for their monetary benefit rather than treating them with humanity.