Waiting for the House of Representatives of the PSBiH: If the Law is Not Amended, Fur Farming in BiH Will Be Banned

Delegates of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH adopted amendments to the Proposal for amendments to the Law on Animal Protection and Welfare, reports the Patria news agency.

In a few days, specifically on August 30, this proposal will be considered in the first reading by the members of the House of Representatives of the PSBiH.

The law is being amended because it currently states that keeping fur animals is prohibited from January 1, 2018. Incidentally, the current law was copied from neighboring Croatia, which also deleted this article.

If these amendments to the law are not made, fur farming will therefore become illegal. In BiH, several people raise chinchillas, minks, and ferrets, and make a living from it.

Along with the proposed law, the following were submitted: an Opinion on ethological aspects and welfare of chinchillas in farm production from the Veterinary Institute (University of Sarajevo, Veterinary Faculty Sarajevo, Center for Poultry and Rabbit Farming), a Report on the visit/Opinion on the accommodation and condition of chinchillas in the relevant production facility, and a Letter of support for the activities of the Association of Chinchilla Breeders and Enthusiasts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Una-Sana Canton.

The proposed law, by its structure, form, and style, reflects the rules for drafting legal regulations, as prescribed by the Uniform Rules for Drafting Legal Regulations in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is harmonized with the Uniform Rules for Drafting Legal Regulations in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina – state the Commission.

However, the Islamic Community does not recommend raising chinchillas for their fur, from which someone would derive economic benefit.

Animals should be treated humanely, not cruelly. Raising chinchillas, especially killing them, seems to involve such treatment (cruel). Several people have asked questions regarding chinchillas. We have not heard of anyone being successful in that business. We would not recommend it – respond from the Islamic Community to numerous inquiries about chinchilla farming.

Namely, when it comes time to slaughter these animals, the method of breaking the neck is used, and there is also a gas suffocation method, which is much more expensive.