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Animal Welfare Groups Cheer San Francisco's 'Historic Act'

It becomes biggest US city to ban fur
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 21, 2018 1:47 AM CDT
San Francisco Approves Ban on Fur Sales
In this photo taken Friday, March 16, 2018, Benjamin Lin looks over a 60-year-old cheetah jacket he is restoring at the BB Hawk showroom in San Francisco.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

San Francisco supervisors voted unanimously to ban the sale of fur Tuesday, further burnishing the city's animal-loving credentials as it becomes the largest US city to approve the prohibition. Animal welfare advocates around the world cheered news of Tuesday's vote, applauding the city for its compassion and hoping that the legislation will catch on. The ban takes effect Jan. 1 next year and applies to apparel and accessories featuring real fur, including coats, key chains, and gloves, the AP reports. An amendment added Tuesday allows furriers and other retailers to sell current inventory until Jan. 1, 2020. Mayor Mark Farrell says he plans to sign the legislation.

Wayne Hsiung, co-founder of animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere, said in a statement that "this historic act will usher in a new wave of animal rights legislation across the globe." Retailers in San Francisco, however, balked at what they called another social mandate at the cost of their ability to make a living. About 50 clothing and accessory retailers downtown will be affected by the legislation, said Jim Lazarus, senior vice president of public policy at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Reselling vintage and used fur by outlets not usually in the business of trading fur, such as secondhand stores, pawn shops, and nonprofits, will still be allowed. (In 2011, West Hollywood became the first American city to ban fur.)

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