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International Fur Trade Federation
First established in 1949, the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) is a federation of 38 national fur trade associations and organisations from 31 countries.It draws together people from across the full spectrum of the trade: fur farmers; trappers; furriers; auction houses; merchants; brokers; dressers and dyers; manufacturers; marketing organisations and retailers.
Through its work and the activities of its members, IFTF seeks to protect fur trade interests and to promote innovation, high standards and a positive factual image of fur and the fur industry internationally.
IFTF and animal welfare
IFTF is fully committed to maintaining high standards of care, habitat, health and welfare for fur animals, established under strict international, national and regional laws, agreements and codes of practice. Since 1978, IFTF has contributed more than US$ 6.6 million in support of a wide range of animal welfare and conservation projects. These have included scientific studies into the population status of wild fur species, fur farming issues such as housing and disease prevention, and the development of the most humane trapping methods available.
IFTF and conservation
Fur is a renewable, natural resource. All major conservation organisations endorse the principle of the sustainable use of renewable resources. This recognises the right to use natureís surplus in a responsible way so that populations can renew and habitats are not damaged.
IFTF is a Voting Member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and an active supporter of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The international fur trade does not use endangered species for any purpose and all furs used by the trade are abundant.
IFTF and education
Both directly and through its members, IFTF serves as an education and media resource on wildlife conservation, fashion and fur industry matters.
IFTF is committed to improving the publicís understanding of the fur they are buying, and is currently working on a number of consumer labelling projects. In 2002, IFTF changed its constitution to require all its members to introduce fur species labelling in their country if this was not already a requirement.
IFTF and fashion
One of IFTFís key roles is to support and promote the use of fur by leading international fashion designers.
Fur has never been more popular on the catwalks. More than 370 well-known international designers included fur in their collections for Autumn/Winter 2006-07.
Through its members, the Federation highlights the use of fur to the international fashion media by providing Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear and celebrity press kits, and fur trend predictions. The Federation also works with young designers, sponsoring the annual international fur design competition, REMIX.
IFTF helps to carry the ëfur in fashioní message to consumers by supporting special events and magazine promotions. Since 2002, IFTF has worked with style ëbiblesí Vogue and ELLE to produce a series of fur fashion promotions, annually reaching more than 25 million international consumers.
IFTF and its membership
IFTF represents the interests of the international fur industry with government and official bodies and with federal institutions. The Federation also provides an important international forum for discussion and resolution of fur trade concerns, organising internal seminars for members to share information on key issues facing the industry. IFTF seeks to support and amplify the work carried out by its members at national level, and to provide the tools to help in this work.
For more information about IFTF, visit www.iftf.com and www.fur-style.com
International Fur Trade Federation
PO Box 495
Weybridge
Surrey
KT13 8WD
United Kingdom
info@iftf.com
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