In a landmark ruling for the welfare of animals, the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) of Bulgaria has upheld the country’s ban on fur farming, reinforcing a previous decision to ban the cruel practice by the Sofia City Administrative Court.
The final verdict, delivered on August 11th, 2025, rejected the appeal of Farmpro OOD, the company operating Bulgaria’s last mink fur farm. It confirmed the legality of Order No. РД-449/31.05.2022, issued by the Minister of Environment and Water, which bans the import and breeding of American mink in Bulgarian territory under the Biodiversity Act.
This court victory marks a significant step toward ending one of the most brutal industries. American mink, the most commonly farmed species for fur in Europe, endure horrific conditions. Recent undercover footage from a Bulgarian mink farm that has since closed revealed the grim reality: animals crammed into small, filthy wire cages, plagued by open wounds, skin diseases, and psychological distress. Scenes showed minks mutilating themselves or others, with carcasses rotting among the living.
At only seven months old, these beautiful creatures were subjected to a cruel death in gas chambers. Their pelts were harvested and sold at fashion auctions, where they were destined to become high-end garments and accessories.
The Association Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry (CAAI), which participated in the court proceedings, applauded the decision. CAAI noted that many European countries have already banned fur farming, primarily due to animal welfare concerns. A proposal for a full legislative ban on fur farms is currently pending review in the Bulgarian Parliament, a step that animal protection organizations hope will bring permanent legal closure to this cruel industry.
Bulgaria’s last mink farm, which had the capacity to breed nearly 129,000 mink annually, ceased operations in January 2025. This court ruling ensures that the farm will not reopen, and sets a precedent that could inspire broader bans across the region.
