MEDIA RELEASE

29 June 2007

Call to ban cruel cat and dog fur

The European Parliament’s decision to ban the importation of products made from cat or dog fur is welcomed by SAFE but the national animal advocacy organisation has red flagged the New Zealand government for lagging behind the EU. The EU ban follows similar moves in the United States of America and Australia. The group says it’s time for the government to impose legislation to prevent New Zealand becoming a dumping ground for cat and dog fur that can no longer be sold overseas.

“SAFE wants the New Zealand government to not only ban cat and dog fur but to also extend the ban to include the importation of all fur products,” says campaign director Hans Kriek.

“The vast majority of fur is imported from Asia where animal welfare standards are virtually non existent. Methods used to raise and kill fur-bearing animals would be illegal under New Zealand animal welfare legislation so why does the government permit the importation of tortured fur products for the New Zealand market?”

SAFE today launches a retail awareness campaign aimed at educating retailers about the cruelty involved in the fur industry. “Any shopper with doubts about a product sold at a store can notify SAFE who will approach the retailer directly. SAFE believes retailers will be appalled to find out how imported fur is produced and we expect they will withdraw any fur items from sale,” says Mr Kriek.

Fur-bearing animals such as foxes, rabbits and racoons are kept in tiny cages and suffer from severe stress. Self-mutilation is common. Undercover investigations have revealed animals are often skinned alive. The fur is used mainly for the clothing industry but also in giftware and toys found in cheap import stores, pet shops and veterinary clinics.

ENDS

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