The lower house of the Czech parliament has passed a ban on fur farms following a stormy debate. The ban should take effect from the end of January 2019 after an attempt to put it back failed. Around nine such farms, mostly raising mink and foxes, are present in the Czech Republic. The owners can claim compensation from the state. The ban was backed by a petition signed by 46,000 people. Opponents of the ban warn that illegal farms could be created where the state has no oversight over the animals’ welfare.