HORROR OF CAT AND DOG FUR TRADE MUST END

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Jun 2007

Fiona Hall has expressed her continuing outrage at the cat and dog fur trade, and that it has taken so long to ban imports into the European Union.

Even before becoming an MEP in 2004, Fiona campaigned in the region to ban cat and dog fur imports into the European Union. Speaking after today's First Reading vote in Strasbourg in favour of a ban, she said:

"I am relieved that the European Parliament has voted in favour of a ban and the draft law can proceed.

"However this will be no comfort to the two million dogs and cats already slaughtered each year. They are kept in horrific conditions and many are skinned alive. The fact it has taken so long to get this far is unacceptable."

"Many consumers in Europe simply do not know what they are buying. What is labelled as fake fur has in some cases been cat and dog fur. Cat and dog fur products have also turned up in toys, ornaments, homoeopathic medicines and of course clothing and accessories."

"Although several European countries already have bans, since a ban in the United States, more cat and dog fur has appeared in Europe. Therefore a Europe-wide ban is vital if we are to stamp out this vile trade for good."

Previously more than half the Parliament's members signed a Written Declaration, effectively a petition forcing a debate. The Declaration cites 'strong evidence that over two million cats and dogs are killed each year solely for their skins'.

Recent investigations have shown that animals sold for this purpose in southern China are bred and transported in appalling conditions causing illness, insanity and death. Even if they survive transportation they are then beaten to death, drowned or skinned alive for their fur.