Bulgarian Parliament Unanimously Backs Fur Farming Ban in First Reading

Oct 14, 2026 | Chosen, Fur Farms, Press Releases

Animal welfare concerns and years of public campaigning underpin legislation drafted by CAAI

Sofia, Bulgaria, 14 October 2026 — Bulgaria’s National Assembly has unanimously approved, at first reading, a bill to ban the keeping, breeding and killing of animals for their fur. The proposal received 163 votes in favour, with no votes against or abstentions.

The bill, drafted by Bulgarian animal protection organisation CAAI (Campaigns and Activism for Animals in Industry), was introduced by Members of Parliament representing all parliamentary groups. It proposes amendments to Bulgaria’s Veterinary Medicine Act and has received unanimous cross-party support.

The legislation is primarily motivated by animal welfare concerns. Keeping mink, foxes, chinchillas and other animals in cages for their fur causes severe suffering and prevents them from expressing their natural behaviours. Environmental and public health risks provide further grounds for ending the practice.

“Today’s vote is an important step towards recognising that causing suffering and killing animals for their fur is unacceptable. This progress is the result of years of campaigning and the efforts of tens of thousands of people who have called for fur farming to become a thing of the past. We thank all Members of Parliament who supported the bill and hope this unanimity will continue through to its final adoption,” CAAI said in a statement.

Years of public campaigning behind the proposed ban

The campaign to end fur farming in Bulgaria has a long history. In 2018, a national citizens’ initiative calling for a ban was submitted to the Bulgarian Parliament with more than 51,000 signatures. It was followed by years of public demonstrations, awareness-raising events and sustained advocacy.

If the legislation is finally adopted, Bulgaria will join the growing number of European countries that have introduced legal bans on fur farming, making animal protection a lasting legislative commitment.

No active fur farms remain in Bulgaria

There are currently no operating fur farms in Bulgaria. The country’s last fur farm, which had a capacity of approximately 130,000 mink, ceased operations in early 2025.

However, the absence of active farms does not amount to a permanent legal ban. The proposed legislation would prevent fur farming from being re-established in Bulgaria, whether involving mink or other animal species.

Under Bulgaria’s legislative procedure, a bill must pass a second reading before it can be finally adopted. The second-reading vote is expected in early November 2026.

Anton Kutev, the MP who spearheaded the bill, described the proposed ban as an important step for Bulgaria. He stressed, however, that its broader significance lies in contributing to a Europe-wide effort to end fur farming, not only in Bulgaria but across the European Union.

About CAAI

CAAI (Campaigns and Activism for Animals in Industry) is a Bulgarian animal protection organisation campaigning to end animal suffering in industrial practices.

CAAI initiated Bulgaria’s national citizens’ initiative to ban fur farming, which gathered more than 51,000 signatures. The organisation is also part of the European Citizens’ Initiative Fur Free Europe, which collected more than 1.5 million signatures across the European Union, including over 70,000 from Bulgaria.

CAAI is a member of Eurogroup for Animals and the Fur Free Alliance, working alongside international partners to advance animal welfare and bring an end to fur farming.