Bearskin hats worn by Queen's Guard threatened by proposed fur sales ban

Bearskin hats worn by the Queen's Guard are under threat after ministers bowed to animal rights campaigners on a proposed fur sales ban.

In a victory for anti-fur activists, George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, confirmed that the Government plans to launch a consultation on banning the sale of fur in post-Brexit Britain next year. It follows pressure from Tory figures including Boris Johnson's fiancee, Carrie Symonds.

In a letter to Giles Roca, the chief executive of the British Fur Trade Association (BFTA), Mr Eustice wrote: "The Government has been clear that, once the UK's future trading relationship with the EU has been established, there will be an opportunity to consider further steps it could take in relation to fur sales."

The correspondence, dated September 9 and seen by The Telegraph, adds: "The Government will want to hear from all interested parties, including the fur sector, as it looks to develop proposals and form views on what the fur trade might look like after the transition period.

"In addition, the Government will in all likelihood choose to consult on this matter."

The move comes after Lord Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, was criticised for agreeing to speak at an event on Tuesday that called for a "fur-free Britain". The virtual rally was organised by the Humane Society International (HSI), which leaked emails last week revealed had held a "productive" meeting with him in May.

Lord Goldsmith, a former Tory MP for Richmond, and his close friend Ms Symonds are understood to have been lobbying Mr Johnson to introduce a ban on fur sales after December 31.

Ms Symonds, who has previously demonstrated against whaling and the badger cull, tweeted last September that people who wear fur are "sick" and that clothes brands were "nuts" to sell it, and last July Lord Goldsmith said: "Brexit could give us the opportunity to close our borders to this grotesque and unnecessary trade."

In the letter, Mr Eustice defended Lord Goldsmith's meetings with HSI, insisting he had "reflected the Government position that we are considering the situation".

Fur farming was banned in 2003, but the UK still allows the product to be imported from overseas. France is one of the biggest suppliers, along with Denmark, Finland, the United States, Italy, Poland and Canada.

The BFTA claims a fur sales ban will cost the economy £200 million as well as adversely affecting seven British Army regiments, including the Coldstream Guards and the Welsh Guards, who wear bearskin hats made from the pelts of culled Canadian black bears.

Between 50 and 100 of the 18-inch hats, used by the military since the 1815 defeat of Napoleon, are bought by the Army each year at a cost of roughly £650 each.

Oxthodox Jews who wear a fur hat called a Shtreimel would also be affected, as well as popular high street brands such as Canada Goose which use fur as a by-product from animal conservation programmes.

The ermine robes worn by the Queen and members of the House of Lords also face an uncertain future.

A spokesman for the BFTA accused the Government of "acting like a wardrobe police", adding: "It shows that they have been captured by narrow interest animal rights activists that share more in common with the tactics of Extinction Rebellion than the third of British households who own a fur garment.

"A ban would have serious negative consequences, actually damaging animal welfare, and once they are done with fur they will just move on to wool, leather and silk.

"Fur is a natural sustainable material that comes from humane and highly regulated sources."

Mr Eustice promised to meet the BFTA and said he would welcome briefing materials on fur assurance schemes.