13 November 2026 – Bulgaria is to become the most recent European country to ban fur farming, following a unanimous vote in its National Assembly. The historic decision marks a major victory for animal protection and the culmination of more than a decade of campaigning by Fur Free Alliance member CAAI.

The bill passed its second and final parliamentary reading with 173 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions, receiving support from every political party represented in Parliament.

The legislation prohibits the keeping, breeding and killing of animals for the purpose of fur production, including mink, foxes, chinchillas and raccoon dogs.

Although Bulgaria’s last remaining fur farm, an American mink facility near Madzherito, closed in early 2025, the new law will prevent the industry from returning or establishing farms for other fur-bearing species. The legislation now awaits presidential promulgation and publication in the country’s State Gazette.

Years of campaigning

The victory follows years of determined campaigning by CAAI, which launched a national citizens’ initiative calling for a ban on fur production, gathering more than 51,000 signatures. The organisation has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the suffering caused by fur farming and build public and political support for its abolition.

“The bill banning fur farms is a major victory for animals. At CAAI, we have spent more than 10 years campaigning to ensure that animals can no longer be skinned solely for their fur,” said Petya Altimirska, Chair of CAAI.

“We are pleased that the voices of the citizens and civil society organisations supporting this bill have been heard and have received the full political backing of representatives from every parliamentary group.”

The legislation was introduced by MPs from across the political spectrum, demonstrating remarkable cross-party agreement on the need to end fur farming.

Anton Kutev, one of the MPs who spearheaded the legislation, highlighted this political consensus, noting that it was the first bill in the current Parliament to have been backed by the signatures of representatives from every political party.

Now for a Fur Free Europe

Bulgaria’s historic decision adds to the growing momentum against fur farming across Europe, where 24 countries have now adopted legislation banning fur production or introducing restrictions that effectively bring the practice to an end.

Importantly, Bulgarian parliamentarians have also recognised the wider European significance of the legislation.

During the bill’s first parliamentary reading, Anton Kutev emphasised that Bulgaria’s decision should form part of a wider European effort to end fur farming, not only nationally but throughout the European Union.

Yavor Gechev, Chair of the Bulgarian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and a former Agriculture Minister, has also expressed support for both the national ban and the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative.

The initiative, supported by more than 1.5 million EU citizens, including over 70,000 from Bulgaria, calls for an EU-wide prohibition on fur farming and the placing of farmed fur products on the European market.

With the European Commission considering its response to the initiative, Bulgaria’s decision provides another powerful demonstration of the growing political consensus that fur farming has no place in Europe’s future.

The Fur Free Alliance congratulates CAAI and everyone who has worked to achieve this historic victory for animals in Bulgaria.