Bulgarian MPs on a parliamentary committee have unanimously backed a ban on breeding, raising and killing animals for fur on first reading. The agriculture, food and forests committee voted 19 for, with none against and no abstentions.

This story follows our earlier report on the bill, put forward by MPs from all parliamentary groups, which bans fur farms.

The bill was submitted on 1 October 2026. Nihal Yuzergan of the Progressive Bulgaria parliamentary group presented it to the committee on behalf of its authors. It amends the Veterinary Medical Activity Act. Its transitional and final provisions also change the Animal Protection Act, so that these activities count as cruelty to animals.

The bill defines "fur skins" as the pelts of animals that are raised and bred to produce fur. The ban does not cover pelts that come as a by-product of meat production, or those from legal hunting.

The bill sets fines and financial penalties for breaches. Individuals face fines of €800 to €1,500, and €2,000 to €6,000 for a repeat offence. Companies and sole traders face a penalty of €2,500 to €4,500, and a fine of up to €10,000 for a repeat offence.

Yuzergan said the bill is the result of more than 10 years of effort. Many political parties and civic groups had backed it before, she said, but now the stance is so clear and firm. She said the step puts Bulgaria alongside 20 European countries with a full or partial ban. In her words, the case shows that firm agreement can be reached on humane treatment of animals, protecting the environment, biodiversity and public health.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) have both given positive opinions on the bill, with no objections, said the agency's executive director, Prof. Svetla Yancheva. According to the BFSA's public register, there are no active fur animal farms in Bulgaria.