Cat and Dog Fur

Over the last few years, there has been growing public concern about the alleged import of domestic cat and dog fur into the UK.

To date no hard evidence has come to light that these furs are being imported, sold or exported in the UK, nor is there a reliable scientific test which can accurately determine whether or not a product contains domestic cat or dog fur. This makes it very difficult to assess what action might be appropriate and proportionate in line with the Government’s better regulation agenda. However, the Government understands the ethical abhorrence felt about this issue, and has been working for some time to establish the facts about this trade.

In order to address public concerns, the DTI Minister for Trade and Investment issued a written statement to Parliament on this issue on 17 July 2003. In his statement, the Minister asked animal welfare groups to try to produce hard evidence of the extent of this problem in the UK within six months and said that he would be prepared, if such evidence was produced, to support a ban on the import of domestic cat and dog furs. In the meantime, the Government will be working hard to ensure that there is a reliable scientific test in place which can accurately distinguish between the different species of cat and dog.

In its investigations of this matter, the Government has developed a constructive relationship with interested animal welfare groups and trade associations and we are continuing to work closely with them during this six month period.

We are also liasing closely with officials in other countries where the possible trade in domestic cat and dog fur is also cause for concern. We have also discussed this issue with the European Commission as, given the Single Market, we believe that any action on this issue would be most effective if taken at EU level.

Contact:
Armelle Diamond
Tel: 0207 215 4559
Email: armelle.diamond@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Last updated 6 November 2003