EU slams sale of cat, dog fur

2006-11-20 22:07

Brussels - The European Union's executive commission on Monday proposed to extend a ban on the sale, import and production of dog and cat fur to all 25 EU nations, saying the measure was taken a response to an overwhelming public outcry.

"In Europe, as you know, cats and dogs are considered companion animals and nothing else," European Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said.

"But many citizens, members of the European Parliament, ministers and even myself have seen shocking images of cats and dogs being kept in cages and slaughtered in cruel and shocking conditions for their fur," he said.

Kyprianou said 15 EU member states already have bans in place, but that an EU-wide ban serves to bring clear guidelines for all member nations.

"Consumers will be assured that wherever they are within the European Union, there's no chance that they are buying products which contain dog and cat fur," Kyprianou said.

Unacceptable

The European Commission said it found cat and dog fur in some clothing, personal accessories and soft toys for children being sold on the European market, either falsely labelled as another kind of fur, or hidden within the product.

"Just the idea of young children playing with toys which have been made with dog and cat fur is really something we cannot accept," Kyprianou said.

He added that because of the trade's secretive nature, it was hard to estimate how much dog and cat fur finds its way onto the market or pinpoint where it comes from.

However, a December 2005 investigation by the Australian animal-rights group Humane Society International, showed dog and cat fur production had taken place within the Czech Republic and other Eastern European states.

"People are disgusted when they find out that cats and dogs are killed every year for their fur," said HSI Director Mark Glover. "Investigations have shown that the trade in these skins exists in the EU."

HSI estimates around 2 million cats and dogs are killed for fur each year, with an estimated 5 400 cats and dogs killed in China each day.

Kyprianou said he expected the European Parliament and the EU member states to quickly adopt the proposal.

- AP