Brown Thomas to stop selling fur

Brown Thomas is to stop selling fur from next February, the company has announced.

The decision comes after years of being targeted by anti-fur campaigners who frequently picketed Brown Thomas's flagship store on Grafton Street, Dublin.

In a statement, Brown Thomas said the decision has been taken "in consideration of all issues surrounding animal welfare".

Stephen Sealey, the Brown Thomas Group buying director for fashions and accessories, has communicated this policy to all suppliers to Brown Thomas and BT2 stores.

In future the only fur-type product that will be acceptable in Brown Thomas will be synthetic fur and leather, suede, sheepskin and shearlings.

Anti-fur campaigners have reacted with jubilation to the news and intend to stage a celebration outside Brown Thomas's on Grafton Street tomorrow.

Though Brown Thomas has claimed that it only stocks items made from skins of animals in the food chain, such as cattle and sheep, anti-fur campaigners say that their stores stock rabbit furs.

Major retailers including Marks & Spencer, Dunnes Stores, Debenhams, Next, Top Shop and Karen Millen have adopted fur-free policies.

Animal Rights Action Network (Aran) founder John Carmody said: "This is one of the best Christmas presents, animals can get. We successfully got the message across that you can get that killer look without killing."

Anti-fur campaigners say they will now turn their attention to the remaining shops in Ireland that continue to stock fur.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times