NEWS RELEASE
Date: 19 June 2007
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Jointly issued by Defra and DTI: Ban on cat and dog fur trade welcomed
A ban on the production, marketing, import and export of cat and dog fur within the EU was welcomed today by Trade Minister Ian McCartney and Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw.
Welcoming the announcement, Ian McCartney, Minister for Trade said:
"This is good news. I share the abhorrence people feel about this dreadful trade. We have always said that any action would be most effective at EU level and that's why we pushed for an EU-wide ban.
Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Animal Welfare said:
"I am delighted that the EU has voted to ban this awful trade.
“An EU-wide ban goes one step further to help secure improved welfare for cats and dogs across all Member States. It sets a universal standard for Member States to follow and shows the rest of the world that we will not tolerate trade of this kind.”
Notes to editors
1. Details
of the EU decision can be found at:
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/063-7958-169-06-25-911-20070615IPR07883-18-06-2007-2007-false/default_en.htm
2. 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.
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.
End
Public enquiries: 08459 335577
News releases available on our website:
www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
Page last modified: day month year
Page published: day month year