Sir, - It is very disappointing to see The Irish Times promoting the wearing of fur by choosing to publish a photo of Anna Molinari's fur jacket at Milan Fashion Week (February 24th).
Many people are not aware that there are currently six fur farms in Ireland breeding mink and fox. One farm has 1,800 Arctic and silver foxes; another has 45,000 mink kept in cramped, barren cages.
Maybe those who think wearing fur coats is an acceptable fashion statement should stand and watch while beautiful, terrified foxes are electrocuted through their mouths and rectums.
These fur farms are an abomination. The UK Government has published a parliamentary bill to ban fur farming by the end of 2002. Can Ireland not become the first country in the world to end the cruel practice of incarcerating and killing wild animals for their fur by prohibiting fur farming immediately? - Yours, etc.,
Yvonne Smalley, Killiney, Co Dublin.