Guidelines

1. More than anyone else is the fur trade committed to wildlife conservation. The respect for species assures that no fur-bearing species is threatened or endangered. This respect is also true for farmed animals.

2. We confess that economic thinking must be guided by ethic principles and must consider man's responsibility for nature and natural resources. It is our objective to achieve sustainable use of these resources for both our generation and the ones to follow.

3. Our traditional trade uses furs for man's basic needs for warmth, protection and adornment.

4. With regard to our contacts with pets and farmed animals in general and with fur-bearing animals in particular we feel bound to study the animals' needs and requirements during the rearing process. The results of scientific research are realised under the supervision of veterinarians. The slaughtering or killing of animals must be painless.

5. We follow the laws, regulations and export provisions on the protection of animals and species. We ask farmers, breeders, hunters and trappers to do the same.

6. We are committed to see to the fact that our trade does not endanger any species. Since our influence on the conservation of wildlife habitat and natural environment is only a limited one, we ask for clear legal regulations and provisions guaranteeing the protection of species and ecosystems which must be combined with strict implementations and controls.

7. If a justified suspicion of endangering a species can be proven we are prepared to go beyond existing legislation and do without trade in this species. Moreover, we will support significant projects to register wildlife species and research on the behaviour of farmed animals.

Fully aware of our responsibility, we are committed to follow these principles and to do everything possible to realise these objectives. Anyone who gives offence will be excluded from the organisations of the fur trade leaving out of account legal consequences.