NEW MOVE TO BAN CAT AND DOG FUR (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

NEW MOVE TO BAN CAT AND DOG FUR

July 10, 2005 3:50 PM

Fiona Hall, the Liberal Democrat Euro MP for the North East, has welcomed the news that a European Commissioner has pledged to find ways to introduce EU-wide rules to prevent the importation of cat and dog fur from China.

Ms. Hall has been campaigning since before her election last June in support of animal welfare organisations, who have condemned the lack of controls to prevent the sale of products using fur from creatures said to be kept in cruel conditions and killed brutally. The material has been found across Europe in gloves, in fur collars on fashion clothing, and in novelty items including toy cats and dogs.

Trade rules and legal restrictions are said to have prevented action being taken in the past but today (Wednesday), EU Consumer Affairs Commissioners Marcus Kyprianou told MEPs that he wanted his advisors to find solutions not present problems.

The Commissioner said that he hoped to raise standards for the transport of live farm animals and wanted to introduce animal welfare as a consideration in international trade negotiations.

Ms Hall described the Commissioner's words as very encouraging.

She said: "The 'can do' approach being taken by the new Commissioner is a real breath of fresh air after the bureaucratic objections we have had in the past. Animal welfare considerations can impose extra costs on consumers and put food producers at a competitive disadvantage, but by working together across Europe we have a real hope of curbing cruelty and raising standards all round