The Fur Institute of Canada (FIC) works to promote the fur trade and to advocate for the fur industry. The organization, has more than 100 members from industry and trade, government, Aboriginal

Aboriginal peoples in Canada

Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....

 groups and the scientific community.

The FIC manages Canada’s humane trap research and testing program through the Alberta Research Centre and in accordance with The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). As a voice for the Canadian fur sector the Institute provides information to the media, the public and governments pertaining to the economic, social, cultural, animal welfare and environmental issues surrounding today's fur trade.

Mission

The mission of the Fur Institute of Canada is to promote the sustainable and wise use of Canada's fur resources.

Values

The Fur Institute of Canada and its members promote the following values:

• The sustainable use and conservation of renewable resources.
• The continued improvement of animal welfare through ongoing research and the development of national and international trapping standards.
• The conservation and management of natural resources based on scientific evidence and traditional knowledge.
• Professionalism through continued education, licensing and research.
• Respect for people, animals and the environment.
• Respect for tradition, heritage and culture.
• Respect for the right of Aboriginal peoples to pursue their Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

Organizational structure

The Fur Institute was founded in 1983 on the initiative of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Wildlife Ministers to pursue the work of the Federal-Provincial Committee for Humane Trapping.
The FIC is governed by an elected Board of Directors representing all sectors of the industry and stakeholder groups.

Membership Categories

• Trappers
• Fur Farmers
• Wholesale Fur Dealers
• Fur Manufacturers/Processors
• Fur Retailers
• Aboriginal Organizations
• Conservation Organizations
• Animal Welfare Associations
• Support Industries
• Government of Canada
• Provincial and Territorial Governments

Operational Committees

Fur Institute of Canada programs are developed and delivered by six operational committees within the structure of the Institute. Committees are formed by, and report to, the Board of Directors.

Trap Research and Testing

Through research, development, communication and education, the Trap Research and Development Committee ensures that the best possible furbearer capture technology is available to Canadian trappers. This world recognized program seeks the highest level of animal welfare that can be achieved through traditional knowledge and current science. The trap research and testing program is conducted through the Alberta Research Centre. It adheres to the “Three R’s” of animal research and is overseen by the Canadian Council on Animal Care

Canadian Council on Animal Care

The Canadian Council on Animal Care is a Canadian organization that is responsible for "setting and maintaining standards for the care and use of animals in science" within the country. The organization provides ethical standards for the usage of nonhuman animals in laboratories...

.

Conservation

Programs promote the conservation of furbearers throughout Canada. Through policy development, evaluation, education and advocacy the committee furthers the principles of wise and sustainable use and of applied management in relation to furbearers and their habitats. The committee works in cooperation with wildlife agencies and conservation groups.

International Relations

By monitoring and participating in international activities on trapping, fur ranching, fur use and trade the committee is able to apprise and advise its members and stakeholders. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring policies and activities of international organizations and governments affecting wildlife management or international trade, and participating in international forums, such as IUCN

World Conservation Union

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is an international organization dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges." The organization publishes the IUCN Red List, compiling information from a network of...

 and CITES.
The committee is also charged with managing the implementation in Canada of the 1997 Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) and provides a Canadian representative to the Joint Management Committee for the implementation of the AIHTS.

Communications

The FIC delivers and develops information and resources directed to the Institute membership, the fur trade, other conservation and animal welfare organizations and the public sector, including the media, schools, federal, provincial and territorial governments and the general public.

Aboriginal Communications

The committee is mandated to inform Canada’s Aboriginal trappers of important developments in the fur sector, particularly relating to international humane trapping standards and results of the trap research and testing program. The committee also facilitates communications and promotes joint programs between Aboriginal trappers and provincial and territorial wildlife agencies. Aboriginal organizations, governments and industry are kept informed of issues of concern to Aboriginal communities, trappers and the fur trade.

Sealing

The Sealing Committee ensures that factual information on seals and sealing in Canada is made available from primary sources, on a timely basis, to the general public, media and legislators in Canada and around the world. The committee also facilitates the Seals and Sealing Network (SSN).

External memberships

The Fur Institute of Canada is an active member of various international fur trade and conservation organizations, including the IFTF (International Fur Trade Federation), the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Canadian Committee, and AFWA (Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies).

See also

• Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards
  Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards
  The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards establishes the required standards for approval and certification of animal trapping devices.- History :...
  
  
• Animal trapping
• Timeline of environmental events
  Timeline of environmental events
  The timeline lists geological, astronomical, and climatological events in relation to events in human history which they influenced. For the history of humanity's perspective on these events, see timeline of the history of environmentalism...
  
  
• Wildlife management
  Wildlife management
  Wildlife management attempts to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of people using the best available science. Wildlife management can include game keeping, wildlife conservation and pest control...
  
  

External links

• Fur Institute of Canada
• Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
• Canadian Council on Animal Care
• International Fur Trade Federation
• Origin Assured (OA) International label program that gives consumers an assurance that the fur comes from a country where national or local regulations or standards governing fur production are in force.
• Seals and Sealing Network