UK Welcomes EU Ban On Cat And Dog Fur Trade

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (UK)

Ban on cat and dog fur trade welcomed

Trade Minister Gareth Thomas and Animal Welfare Minister Jeff Rooker, today welcomed an EU-wide ban on the production, marketing, import and export of cat and dog fur.

The ban has today been approved and introduced into EU law by the European Council of Ministers and will apply from 31 December 2008.

Welcoming the announcement, Gareth Thomas, Minister for Trade said:

"This is great news as this appalling trade in cat and dog fur products is unacceptable.

"I share the revulsion people feel about this and this is why we have pushed for an EU-wide ban where it will be most effective in stopping this sickening business."

Jeff Rooker, Minister for Animal Welfare said:

"I am very pleased that we have achieved such a positive result. This EU-wide ban on cat and dog fur products is a significant step towards stamping out this disgusting trade once and for all. It sets a precedent and is an example to the rest of the world. We sincerely hope other countries will follow."

Notes for Editors

1. The final EU proposals allow for two very limited exceptions for taxidermy and specific educational purposes. These exemptions still mean that all commercial trade will be illegal. The UK argued for a full ban but accepted these minor amendments in order to allow a full commercial ban to be put in place.

2. The ban will come into force from 31 December 2008. The delay in implementation is to allow member states sufficient time to introduce sanctions for breaching this legislation which are a national rather than EU competence.

3. There has been considerable concern about the trade in cat and dog fur across the EU although, to date, there has been little evidence of imports into the UK.

ENDS

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