EU steps up to the challenge to ban trade in cat and dog fur

12.12.14pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 19th Jun 2007

The trade in cat and dog fur is to be outlawed in Europe today after a decade-long campaign for an overall ban - a measure which will add weight to restrictions already in force in several EU member states and the USA says South West and Gibraltar Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson.

Speaking from Strasbourg where MEPs voted today upon the new restriction, Graham Watson said:

"Throughout my time as an MEP I've been contacted by many constituents horrified by some of the practices used on fur farms, in particular those in China. I'm pleased that that the EU has stepped up to the challenge on this and I'm confident that this measure will work to reduce the number of cats and dogs slaughtered each year in China for their fur."

While items are often falsely labelled, consumers will continue to buy cat and dog fur unwittingly. These products have turned up across Europe in toys, ornaments, homoeopathic medicines, clothing and accessories."

The subject is being debated after more than half the European Parliament's members signed a Written Declaration, effectively a petition forcing a debate on a given issue. The Declaration cites 'strong evidence that over two million cats and dogs are killed each year solely for their skins'.

Recent investigations have shown that animals sold for this purpose in southern China are bred and transported in conditions causing illness, insanity and death. Even if they survive transportation they are sometimes beaten to death, drowned or skinned alive.

The proposal to outlaw the trade in cat and dog fur throughout Europe will come into effect from December 2008.