Amsterdam council is making a ‘moral appeal’ to the city’s retailers to avoid selling fur and wants fur-free clothes shops to make this clearer to the public.

The council’s action follows a vote in favour of a motion by the animal rights party PvdD last year, which said the use of fur in clothing should be declared taboo, the Parool reported.

The Dutch fur traders’ association says the city council is making itself look ridiculous with the statement, partly because the fashion industry is one of the city’s key business sectors.

Many young designers showed fur during the recent Amsterdam Fashion Week, the Parool points out.