The Finnish Parliament has rejected a proposed ban on fur farming, as expected.

The bill was historic in that it was the first ever brought before the legislature by a grassroots civic movement.

Parliament was obliged to consider the ban after a petition gathered well over the required 50,000 signatures.

MPs voted against the proposal by a margin of 146 to 36.

Three cast blank ballots while 14 MPs were absent.

Those voting for the ban included seven out of the 19 government ministers, three from the Social Democratic Party, two from the Left Alliance, one from the Greens and one from the conservative National Coalition Party. The second Greens minister, Heidi Hautala, is not an MP.

Later this year Parliament is expected to consider a second such a citizens’ initiative, this time on same-sex marriage. That one is considered to bring a closer vote.

Citizens' initiatives have been legal since March 2012.