Fur farming has been banned in Ireland with new legislation now in force.
The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 was signed into law today by President Michael D Higgins.
Ireland's last remaining three mink farms will close.
The bill includes a compensation scheme for fur farming operators for losses resulting from a ban.
A campaign for a ban on fur farming had secured the support of many animal welfare groups and the representative body for veterinary surgeons in Ireland, Veterinary Ireland.
Green Party Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Senator Pippa Hackett, said: "Banning fur farming is a vital step in the protection of animal welfare and puts us in line with similar legislation being implemented across Europe.
"These farms cannot provide for the five freedoms of animal welfare, particularly in relation to the need to express normal behaviours - no welfare standards or inspection regimes can prevent welfare problems being encountered regularly on fur farms."
The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 also introduces an exemption to forestry licences for the planting of small native woodlands.
