Cat
and Dog Fur
Over
the last few years, there has been growing public concern regarding
the alleged import of domestic cat and dog fur into the UK,
most likely as trimmings on giftware products or cheap clothing.
To date no hard evidence has come to light that these furs are
being imported, sold or exported in the UK, nor does there currently
exist 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, within six months, hard evidence of the extent of
this problem in the UK. He said that he would be prepared to
support a ban on the import of domestic cat and dog furs if
such evidence was forthcoming , and provided there also exists
a scientific test which can reliably show that a product contains
domestic cat and dog fur. The Government is working hard to
ensure that there is the required reliable scientific test in
place.
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 it were taken
at EU level.
Contact:
Armelle Diamond
Tel: 0207 215 4559
Fax:
0207 215 4589
Email: armelle.diamond@dti.gsi.gov.uk
Last
updated 18 November 2003
