I have written to the Secretary of State for Defence and the PM as we know now that further tests conducted on ECOPEL’s faux bear fur conclusively show that it meets the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) “five requirements” for the Queen’s Guard’s caps.

The MoD has always maintained that its support of the slaughter of Canadian black bears would end as soon as a suitable alternative was available. That day has now come. ECOPEL have offered to supply the MoD with unlimited faux bear fur free of charge until 2030 and are ready to work with the MoD’s cap makers – or any other cap maker – to make any desired adjustments to the faux fur. 

The Government need to honour the commitment made in the Queen’s Speech last year that they would “ensure the UK has, and promotes, the highest standards of animal welfare”.

Please sign this People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA)’s petition

I have tabled these questions below for written answer:

To ask HMG, given that a suitable replacement for bearskin has been developed that meets all of the MoD’s 5 requirements, what steps are being taken to introduce a faux fur for the ceremonial caps worn by the Queen’s Guard.

To ask HMG when it will be fulfilling its commitment to switch to faux fur for the ceremonial caps worn by the Queen’s Guard now that a suitable faux fur is available.