Euro-MP calls for ban on cat and dog fur

3.40.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 8th Dec 2003

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne is calling for her parliamentary colleagues to sign a written declaration calling for a ban on the use of cat and dog fur in products sold in the EU.

Liz commented:

"MEPs from all political parties have long been demanding that the EU Commission draft legislation on the banning of cat and dog fur products. They claim this is impossible because the EU is unable to legislate on ethical grounds - yet in the past twelve months we have quite rightly agreed a directive that banned animal testing of cosmetic products. A precedent has been set.

"Italy has already banned the sale of cat and dog fur, as has the United States. All that is needed is a bit of political will."

Cat and dog fur products have been found on sale in the UK, going under misleading labels such as "rabbit" and "Asian wolf".

Text of written declaration:

The European Parliament,

• having regard to Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure,

• whereas there is strong evidence that over two million cats and dogs are killed each year in Asia solely for their fur and skins and much of this is being directed to EU countries,

• whereas intentional fraudulent labelling or dyeing of these items leaves consumers and legitimate retailers the victims of massive consumer fraud,

• whereas forensic evidence indicates that these items have been found on sale in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark,

• whereas nine EU Ministers of Agriculture have called for an EU-wide ban,

• whereas EU authorities have stated that a balanced ban would not trigger a WTO problem,

• whereas porous borders make it impossible for individual countries to stem this consumer fraud,

• whereas waiting for the Commission to harmonise EU individual country laws sometime in the distant future will leave EU citizens continuing victims of this fraud,

1. Requests the European Commission immediately to draft a regulation under internal market powers to ban the import, export, sales and production of cat and dog furs and skins to restore European Union consumer and retailer confidence and end this trade.

MEPs have until 22 December to sign this declaration. If at least 50% do, then the Declaration is declared to have been automatically passed by Parliament.