Fox fur farming in the UK has a rich and complex history, tracing its origins back to the 19th century. Historical records indicate that the first reports of fox farming date to the 1800s, with isolated instances of silver fox breeding, particularly in rural Norfolk. A striking example is found in a brick tower near Heath Farm, Short-Thorn Road, believed to have belonged to a post-medieval silver fox farm. It is thought that the farmer would sit in this tower to observe his foxes. However, large-scale commercial fox farming did not take off until the early 20th century.
Early Days of Fox Farming
While archaeological records mention fox farming in the 1800s, it was not until the 1920s that it became a major commercial enterprise in the UK. The first melanistic North American red foxes to be kept in the UK arrived at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in the mid-1800s, over 70 years before the start of commercial fox farming. According to Flower (1929), seven 'Silver Foxes' were recorded as having been born in the ZSL gardens between 1857 and 1862, and five hybrids between this species and the European fox were also born, two in 1832 and three in 1870. This early experimentation laid the foundation for later breeding practices.
Silver foxes, highly prized for their fur, saw a significant increase in demand during the 1930s, sparking a boom in fox farming. The farming of foxes for the fur industry officially began in the British Isles in 1920, and by 1932, Britain had 115 fox breeders across the country, according to the British Fur Trade Yearbook.
Silver Fox Farming Promotion
Fox farming was heavily promoted during the early 20th century as a "fascinating and highly profitable" industry. Advertisements emphasized the economic potential of silver fox farming, which was seen as a lucrative livestock enterprise. The image of silver foxes, prized for their unique fur, highlighted their desirability in the fashion industry, further driving interest in fur production. This reflects the popular belief of the time that fur farming could yield high economic returns for those willing to invest.
Life on the Farms
At the height of fox farming, life on the farms was highly regulated and managed with care. Doris Louisa Bohannan, who worked on a Norfolk farm in the 1930s, described how foxes were housed in pens made of chicken wire, preventing them from digging out. The foxes, with their distinctive black and silver fur, were primarily bred for their pelts.
Their diet typically consisted of eggs and baby turkeys, reflecting the investment put into their upkeep. The facilities were kept clean and orderly, as fur farmers maintained high standards in both breeding and living conditions. This was not just an economic enterprise but a practice with parallels to modern zoological care.
A 1929 letter to The Spectator mentions that reputable breeders used chloroform to kill foxes, promoting it as the most humane and economical method available. This messaging may have been intended to alleviate public concerns about the ethics of fox farming, especially as scrutiny from welfare advocates increased during this time.
London's Urban Furriers
While fur farming was primarily associated with rural areas, commercial hubs also existed in cities. One notable example was McLelland & Partners, a London-based breeder located on Southampton Row. This urban furrier was part of the UK's silver fox breeding network, demonstrating that fox farming was not just a rural activity but also had significant commercial centres in urban areas like London. This connection helped link rural breeders with urban markets, where fur products were manufactured and sold.
Historical records also link fur farming to the Walthamstow area. Family records of furriers from the area suggest that silver fox farming may have taken place on land that later became Walthamstow Stadium, up until 1919. This highlights how the fur trade thrived in both rural and urban regions. Furriers in Walthamstow and London likely supported the local trade by processing pelts and producing fur products for urban markets.
Urban Furriers and Chloroform Use
Urban furriers played a significant role in the fox fur trade. In areas like Walthamstow, furrier businesses in Ruby Road and Pearl Road manufactured products possibly using pelts from local farms or imported animals. The connection between rural farms and urban commercial furriers showed how fox farming had a widespread presence across the UK. Chloroform use was also significant in defending the industry's humane practices against growing opposition, as breeders claimed it was used to humanely kill foxes, likely in response to public scrutiny in the late 1920s.
Tort Law and Early Anti-Fox Farming Sentiment
The case of Hollywood Silver Fox Farm v Emmett [1936] 2 K.B. 468 exemplifies how strong anti-fox farming sentiments have influenced legal disputes since the inception of fox farming. In this case, the breeder, who used his land to raise silver foxes, faced intentional interference from his neighbour, who owned adjoining land. During the sensitive fox breeding season, the neighbour repeatedly discharged firearms near the breeder’s pens with the deliberate intent of disturbing the foxes, knowing that such disturbances could disrupt breeding, cause miscarriages, or lead to the killing of cubs. The neighbour’s actions were motivated by a desire to pressure the breeder into removing a sign advertising the fox farm, which the neighbour viewed as potentially detrimental to his plans for developing his land.
When the breeder took legal action, the King’s Bench Division held that the neighbour’s actions constituted a “malicious nuisance.” The court determined that while landowners have certain rights over their property, those rights are not absolute and must not be exercised to the detriment of neighbouring landowners, particularly when malicious intent is involved. The court awarded damages to the breeder and granted an injunction to prevent further gunfire near the pens during critical breeding periods. This case underscores the limitations of property rights, particularly in cases of malicious interference, and illustrates longstanding societal resistance to fox farming, setting a precedent in English tort law.
The Decline of Fox Fur Farming
Despite its initial success, fox fur farming began to face growing opposition by the mid-20th century. The decline started in the 1950s and 1960s, influenced by changing fashion trends, growing awareness of animal welfare issues, and competition from other countries where fur farming was more cost-effective. Animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA, raised increasing concerns about the ethics of fur farming.
By the 1970s, many fox farms had already closed due to these pressures, and by the time the UK introduced the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act in 2000, which made it illegal to breed animals for their fur, only 11 fur farms remained, and most had stopped breeding foxes years earlier. Many of the remaining farms had shifted their focus to mink or had ceased operations entirely. Some well-known fur farms that once thrived included Hollywood Silver Fox Farm in Lincolnshire, which faced legal challenges as early as the 1930s, demonstrating a stance against fur farming, that has been in the UK since the trade began.
A Lasting Legacy
Even after the decline of fur farming, the legacy of fox breeding in the UK remains notable. Melanistic traits, likely introduced by farm foxes, can still be seen in wild populations in areas where foxes were released during World War II, such as Halifax and London. Fox farms once dotted the country, with operations in Norfolk, Kent, Sussex, Hertfordshire, and East Lothian, as well as other towns like Yateley and Mulbarton. The last known fox farm, located in Coventry, closed in 1982. By that time, the industry had significantly shrunk, and many farms had either ceased operations or shifted away from breeding foxes altogether.
"Today, the history of the UK's fur industry is remembered in places like the Shetland Museum, which houses an exhibition dedicated to fox and mink farming. The museum highlights the more humane practices of early fur farmers, whose methods resembled modern zoological care, with an emphasis on the welfare of the animals. This is a far cry from what foxes experience of life within fur farms across Europe, North America, and China today. In fact, a significant portion of the fur sold in the UK is imported from China, where animal welfare standards on fur farms are often poorly regulated, raising concerns about the conditions in which these animals are kept.
Summary
The history of fox fur farming in the UK is one of peaks and troughs, from its origins in the 19th century to its eventual ban in 2000. It was an industry driven by fashion, evolving standards of care, and changing societal attitudes towards animal welfare. While fur farming remains a contentious issue today, the historical significance of the industry, particularly in preserving certain traits and species, cannot be denied. The fox farms of yesteryear, though controversial by modern standards, shaped both the natural and cultural landscapes of the UK.
Sources:
Book: British Fox Keeping Association of Great Britain, circa 1920
First and early breeding records for mammals in the UK and Eire
