Morrissey has written to Irish agriculture minister Michael Creed calling for a ban on fur farming.
The former Smiths frontman and animal activist thanked Mr Creed for banning wild animal circuses last year and urged him to “continue on this progressive path by also outlawing fur farming” in Ireland.
The letter, on behalf of animal welfare group Peta, said: “Ireland has three fur farms, on which 200,000 minks are jammed into squalid cages and denied the opportunity to roam, swim, or care for their young.
“This confinement causes them such psychological distress that many go insane and mutilate themselves.”
The singer-songwriter, 58, continued: “They’re killed when they’re only about six months old, crammed by the dozens into a box and gassed to death. And for what?
“A stale ‘status symbol’ that nobody wants to wear any more.”
Peta said the UK, Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Netherlands have all banned fur farming and that Norway announced its own ban last month.
Morrissey, an avid campaigner for animal rights, is set to perform at Dublin’s 3Arena on February 20.
In November, Mr Creed, minister for agriculture, food and the marine, signed regulations banning the use of wild animals in circuses.
He said at the time: “The use of wild animals for entertainment purposes in circuses can no longer be permitted. This is the general view of the public at large and a position I am happy to endorse.
“This is a progressive move, reflective of our commitment to animal welfare.”