Burnside councillor Julian Carbone wants to ban the sale of fur products at local markets
Fur coats, crocodile purses and the popular Akubra hat would all be banned from markets in Burnside under a proposal from a councillor to stop the sale of fur on council land. TAKE OUR POLL
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The sale of fur items – including the famous Australian Akubra hat – would be banned at eastern suburbs markets under a proposal from a Burnside councillor.
Julian Carbone has lodged a request to ban the sale and display of fur and exotic animal skins on Burnside Council land.
Fur coats and crocodile purses would be on the banned list – but Akubra hats would also be banned on account of the fact they’re made with rabbit fur.
It would make Burnside the first South Australian council to ban the sale of fur, joining three councils in NSW.
The idea, which has won the support of Greens MLC Tammy Franks and the Animal Justice Party, is set to be debated on Tuesday night.
It would not apply to stand-alone shops.
Mr Carbone said the production of animal fur for clothing was “animal cruelty at its worst”.
“That’s what most people in the world are certainly against,” Mr Carbone said.
The idea, which has won the support of Greens MLC Tammy Franks and the Animal Justice Party, is set to be debated on Tuesday night.
It would not apply to stand-alone shops.
Mr Carbone said the production of animal fur for clothing was “animal cruelty at its worst”.
“That’s what most people in the world are certainly against,” Mr Carbone said.
“The vast majority of fur sold in Australia comes from steel traps in Russia and India where animal cruelty is absolutely disgusting.
“Animals are born, bred, raised and inhumanely slaughtered for their fur.”
In response to banning Akubra hats, he said: “Fur is fur, animal cruelty is animal cruelty”.
“They can always reshape them and make them out of fake fur,” he said.
He stressed, however, that people would not be prohibited from wearing fur on council land.
In a letter of support, Ms Franks said she hoped the proposal would become “the model for other South Australian councils to follow in … Burnside’s footsteps”.
But people on social media hit back at Cr Carbone, taking to his Facebook page to rubbish the proposed ban.
“Remember you said that next time you chomp on a chicken drumstick or a T-bone steak,” Ian Mills wrote.
“I might have some level of respect for vegetarians who take that stand otherwise it’s hardly a tenable position.”
Sam Matheson wrote: “Julian, stick to local government issues or go into federal parliament”.
