Poland Enacts Fur Farming Ban Amid Controversy Over Dog Leashing Legislation

On December 2, 2025, Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed a significant ban on fur farming, marking Poland as the 18th European Union member state to implement such legislation. This decision comes as Poland is recognized as one of the world's leading fur producers, particularly of fox and mink, with production numbers reaching around 3 million animals annually. The ban, which includes an eight-year phase-out period and compensation for breeders who close their businesses early, received overwhelming support in parliament, with three-quarters of MPs voting in favor.

Brussels SignalPoland’s president signs fur farming ban into lawNotes from Poland

President Nawrocki cited public support for the fur farming ban, noting that over two-thirds of Poles, including rural residents, were in favor according to polls. He emphasized the importance of considering farmers' concerns, stating that their demands were integrated into the legislation, such as the transition period and compensation payments. Nawrocki described the ban as a reflection of Poland's compassion and respect for living creatures, asserting, “Their voice cannot be ignored.”

Brussels Signal

In contrast, President Nawrocki vetoed a separate bill aimed at prohibiting the chaining of dogs at home and establishing minimum kennel sizes. He criticized the bill for being poorly drafted, particularly the unrealistic kennel size requirements, which he argued would disproportionately affect rural residents and farmers. Nawrocki stated, “A dead law is worse than no law at all,” and expressed concern that the legislation perpetuated negative stereotypes about rural Poles mistreating animals. He pledged to propose alternative legislation that would better address animal welfare without imposing impractical obligations.

Notes from Poland

The veto of the dog chaining bill has sparked criticism from various political figures and animal rights advocates. Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of parliament, expressed disappointment, stating, “You were supposed to free dogs from their chains, but in reality…you gave impunity to bad people who will continue to treat dogs badly.” Conversely, organizations like Humane World for Animals welcomed the fur farming ban as a historic moment for animal protection in Poland, highlighting the systemic animal suffering documented in fur farms.

Notes from Poland

The fur farming ban positions Poland in alignment with a growing trend across Europe, where many countries have enacted similar restrictions. The European Commission is expected to respond to a petition signed by 1.5 million EU citizens advocating for an EU-wide fur farming ban by March 2026. Meanwhile, President Nawrocki's commitment to introduce his own animal welfare legislation indicates ongoing discussions about balancing animal rights with the interests of rural communities.

Poland’s president signs fur farming ban into lawBrussels SignalNotes from Poland

• “Moments ago, I signed the Animal Protection Act, which introduces a ban on fur farming in Poland. This is a decision that Poles have awaited for many years. A decision that reflects our compassion, our civilizational maturity, and our respect for all living creatures.” — President Karol Nawrocki

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• “proposed standards for dog kennels were completely unrealistic” — President Karol Nawrocki

Notes from Poland

• “This veto hurts the most those who cannot defend themselves. I’m speechless,” — Adam Szlapka, Government Spokesman

Notes from Poland

• “This is an historic moment for animal protection in Poland that will end the suffering and death of millions of animals kept on fur farms. Fur farming is not part of Polish heritage and most Poles oppose fur cruelty, as evidenced by opinion polls and the more than 76,000 petition signatures we recently submitted to the office of President Nawrocki. Today, we can proudly say that Poland becomes the 18th country in the European Union to introduce a ban on fur farming and we hope this will be a crucial catalyst for change as the European Commission considers the case for banning fur farming EU-wide.” — Iga Glazewska-Bromant, Humane World for Animals Europe

Poland’s president signs fur farming ban into law

While the fur farming ban has been widely praised, the veto of the dog chaining bill has led to significant dissent among lawmakers and animal rights advocates. The division in opinions highlights the complexities of animal welfare legislation in Poland, particularly regarding the needs of rural communities versus animal protection efforts.

Poland’s president signs fur farming ban into law