Saga Certification – responsible fur for the fashion industry

Saga Certification ensures responsible fur for the fashion industry and set animal welfare standards. Saga Certification began in 2005 when Saga Furs teamed up with the Finnish fur breeders’ association ProFur to initiate ground-breaking standards for fur farming. The objective was to create effective, efficient processes and support best breeding practices, but it goes beyond that to include ecology-minded requirements. Independent third-party audits provide assurance that all Saga Certification criteria have been met, not only for initial certification, but also for the annual renewal of the certificate.

The new WelFur assessment inside Saga Certification now provides further scientific proof that Saga Furs has been leading the industry in ethical fur farming since its beginning.

Saga Certification has given everyone, from farm to fashion, a competitive advantage and is a guarantee of Saga Furs safeguarding the fur breeders’ profession while providing a symbol of responsible fur farming. Saga Furs’ success in establishing Saga Certification has proven to be an essential and practical, data-based instrument that even includes shelving and toys that contribute to the contentment of animals. The new WelFur assessment inside Saga Certification now provides further scientific proof that Saga Furs has been leading the industry in ethical fur farming since its beginning.

Saga Certification became the standard of animal welfare and inspired others to follow

Since Saga Furs was founded, improvements in fur breeding standards have resulted from the marriage between scientific findings and intuitive practices in animal husbandry that come from experience handed down from one generation to the next. Contented animals provide superlative cut – quality pelts that have made Saga Furs the global brand of preference.

The first 100%-Certified lots of branded Saga® Fox and Finnraccoon went under the hammer in the 2012-13 auction seasons. Within two years, Saga Furs only accepted fox and Finnraccoon from Certified farms.

Saga Furs is proud to say it has improved fur breeding standards abroad by exporting Saga Certification to other countries that supply the majority of mink pelts which are sold in Finland. In 2017 the first 100%-Certified mink lots were sold at Saga Furs auction.

The main criteria for Saga Certification

Saga certification Welfur inside
1. Animal well-being and health
Animal health and welfare are an absolute prerequisite for high-quality animal breeding. On certified fur farms, animal welfare is promoted with immediate and preventive measures.

2. Conditions for rearing animals
Safe and stimulating housing, adjusted to the various cycles in the animal’s life, is the fur-bearing animal’s most important immediate environment.

3. Farm hygiene
A neat and tidy farm environment promotes welfare and comfort for both the animals and the farmer. Proactive measures prevent many problems from arising.

4. Breeding
Healthy and trusting animals form the basis for high-quality breeding. Certified farms do not sell or deliver fur animals to countries which do not meet the requirements set in the Finnish Animal Welfare Act.

5. Environmental management
A certified fur farm minimizes its impact on the surrounding nature. Detailed provisions for environmental protection are specified in each farm’s environmental permit. In addition, special attention is paid to the correct handling of manure, waste management and the watering system.

6. Feed management
The animals are given regularly analyzed feed that fulfils their nutritional needs in each production phase. Domestic raw materials are favored in the feed production, and the entire feed chain is documented.

7. Training and preparing for exceptional situations
Fur farming is a profession which requires solid hands-on competence as well as ongoing professional development on an annual basis. A certified farm is well equipped to act in exceptional situations deviating from day-to-day routines.