SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The International Fur Trade Federation (IFF) is suing the city and county of San Francisco, alleging its recently adopted "fur ban" is unconstitutional.
The IFF filed a complaint Jan. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against the municipalities and San Francisco Department of Public Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax alleging violation of the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
In its complaint, the IFF is challenging a San Francisco "fur ban" ordinance added to the San Francisco Health Code that applied to all products as of Jan. 1. The IFF alleges the fur ban, which makes it illegal to manufacturer, sell, display, trade, give or donate a fur product, including mink, beaver and rabbit, is unconstitutional.
The IFF also claims the ban is "so arbitrary as to be ridiculous" and inconsistent because it excludes products from cows, lambs or sheep.
The IFF seeks an injunction prohibiting the enforcement of the law, attorney's fees and any other relief the court deems proper. It is represented by Michael Tenenbaum of The Office of Michael Tenenbaum in Santa Monica California.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 4:20-CV-00242-DMR