California bans animal fur products

San Francisco, Oct 13 (IANS) California has become the first US state to ban the manufacture and sale of animal fur.

Residents will no longer be able to sell or make clothing, shoes or handbags from fur as of 2023, reports the BBC.

Governor Gavin Newsom also signed a bill banning most animals from circus shows, except cats, dogs and horses. It does not apply to rodeos.

"California is a leader when it comes to animal welfare and today that leadership includes banning the sale of fur," Newsom said in a statement on Saturday.

The ban does not apply to leather, cow hides and the full skin of deer, sheep and goats, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. It also does not apply to stuffed animals.

Violators of the ban could face a fine of $500 or in repeat cases, $1,000.

Last May, Italian fashion house Prada announced that it would stop using fur, starting with its spring-summer 2020 line.

In February, the UK's Selfridges announced it would be banning the sale of exotic animal skins from February 2020.