Posted on 06/18/2007 7:34:41 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
The European Parliament is set to back a ban on cat and dog fur imports, in a move to reduce the two million cats and dogs slaughtered in China each year.
MEPs say shoppers buy goods made with the fur unknowingly, because exporters attach false labels.
It is used in coats, linings for boots and gloves, stuffed toys, and even homeopathic aids for arthritis.
MEPs have agreed with EU member states on the text of the law, which will come into effect by December 2008.
DNA Tests
Liberal MEP Liz Lynne said a Europe-wide ban would add weight to bans already in force in several EU member states and the United States.
The legislation was initiated by the European Parliament, more than half of whose members signed a written declaration supporting a ban in December 2003.
The European Commission then drafted a regulation in 2006. It aims to:
--Block cat and dog fur imports at the border
--Introduce penalties for traders
--Encourage sharing of information on how to detect cat and dog fur
The Commission says the obligation on member states to carry out checks and test for the fur will also provide a clearer picture of what products it is being used in, and where it comes from.
Main Markets
As cat and dog fur can be hard to detect when it is dyed, some states are already using hi-tech systems - mass spectrometry or DNA testing - to identify it.
Europe and Russia are reported to be the main markets for the cats and dogs killed in China and some other Asian countries.
David Neale, UK director of Animals Asia Foundation, said the ban would stop hundreds of thousands if not millions of animals from being killed.
Ministers from the EU member states will need to give the ban their approval, but are not expected to reject it, following an informal agreement with the parliament on the text.
CAT AND DOG FUR TRADE
--Up to 10 adult dogs needed to make fur coat
--Up to 24 cats needed for cat fur coat
--Cat and dog fur also used in hats, gloves, shoes, blankets, stuffed animals and toys
--Dog fur labelled as: Gae-wolf, sobaki, Asian jackal, goupee, loup d'Asie, Corsac fox, dogues du Chine, fake or exotic fur
--Cat fur labelled as: house cat, wild cat, katzenfelle, rabbit, goyangi, mountain cat
Traders kill the animals with knives and nooses. (Pictures: Animals Asia Foundation)
The fur can be hard to detect when dyed. (Pictures: Animals Asia Foundation)
Campaigners say hundreds of thousands of animals can be saved. (Pictures: Animals Asia Foundation)
Kitty Ping!
Ok that headline sounded like the EU was going to mandate hairless Cat's and Dog's
We were in China (Guangzhou) for a couple months and have photos that are not very pleasant of the open air markets where they sell dogs, cats, rats, and every other animal you could imagine. They slaughter them on the spot, and to see a dog carcass hanging from a meat hook is indeed “culture shock.”
Sure, I’m an animal lover, but I don’t get this at all. Dogs? Cats? Rabbits? For what? So some snooty old Hamptons-type women can wear their ugly coats? Even when I was a kid I thought fur coats looked funny. Even if you like the hideous garments, faux fur looks just the same and I don’t think anybody cares (or should). Do they have like comparison tests where the see if a particular coat is real fur or not? (I’m richer and snobbier than you, since my coat has real fur.)
Of course, I wouldn’t be surprised if this ban does little - Chinese manufacturers already label dog and cat fur as faux fur.
That was my first thought too. Owners having to shave their cats and dogs.
“Campaigners say hundreds of thousands of animals can be saved.”
Why don’t these ‘campaigners’ go after the countries that serve dogs and cats as a main entree in the ‘finest’ cafes in town??
I seriously doubt that the animals can be saved anyway, but it doesn’t surprise me that the EU would be up in arms about animals and not the abuse women and children face every day in African and muzzie countries.
What will they wear?
Another thread mentioned that any animal hide will be made into rawhide crews for dogs so shaving them won’t help.
“Another thread mentioned that any animal hide will be made into rawhide crews for dogs so shaving them won’t help.”
???
ping
There are going to be a whole lot of naked cats and dogs.
I think the thread about cat and dog hides being made into rawhide chews was one mom4kittys pinged out, but she’s done so many that I don’t recall how long ago it was or exactly what the thread was about. I’ll try looking but maybe she remembers?
I just found the thread and pinged you to it. It’s in the article, about the chews.
OMG, how terrible.
Thanks for the ping mom.
ping
Does this mean I have to skin my cat if I bring it with me to the EU? Inquiring minds want to know.
Go experience an Alaskan winter. Real fur is much warmer than fake fur. They don’t use dogs and cats though.
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