Delaware House of Representatives Passes Bill to Require Fur Labeling 38-1 |
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June 10, 2008
The HSUS Urges the Senate to Take Action Quickly
WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Delaware House of Representatives for passing legislation requiring all garments made of animal fur to be labeled as real fur, and urged the Senate to move the bill quickly. The measure, H.B. 216, sponsored by Rep. Melanie George Marshall (D-5) and Sen. Margaret Rose Henry (D-2), passed the House by a vote of 38 to 1. Similar legislation was signed into law in New York last year and Massachusetts and Wisconsin already have similar laws in effect.
An ongoing investigation by The HSUS found unlabeled jackets sold as faux fur. Laboratory testing revealed them as actually containing real fur from raccoon dogs and other animals. Investigators also found unlabeled jackets with the animal fur dyed unnatural colors like blue or pink.
"Delaware shoppers would be horrified to know they are being duped into buying fur from a type of dog often skinned alive in China," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president for The HSUS. "We applaud Delaware lawmakers for taking steps to protect consumers from this deception."
"This legislation ensures that consumers have accurate and complete information about the products they are buying," said Rep. Marshall. "I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take quick action on this important bill."
In the wake of The HSUS's investigation, designers such as Michael Kors, DKNY, Rocawear and Sean John pledged not to use raccoon dog fur. Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Foot Locker decided to stop using fur altogether.
A separate bill in the U.S. Congress — H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act — would ban the sale of raccoon dog fur. Additionally, it would require all garments trimmed with fur to be labeled, regardless of value. Current law allows fur valued at less than $150 to go unlabeled. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.), currently has 163 cosponsors. The federal bill has been endorsed by retailers and designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Burlington Coat Factory, Loehmann's, House of Deréon, Marc Ecko Enterprises and Buffalo Exchange.
The bill language is online here.
Photos are available of unlabeled fur garments purchased at Delaware stores and of raccoon dogs in cages in Chinese marketplaces.
For more information on The HSUS's fur investigations, visit humanesociety.org/furfree.
Facts:
The HSUS investigation found raccoon dog fur on 80 percent of a nationwide sample of fur-trimmed jackets purchased from well-known retailers and designers. Of the raccoon dog fur jackets tested, not a single one properly identified the animal in advertising or labeling, instead calling it such things as faux fur, raccoon or simply not labeling it at all.
Estimates on the number of raccoon dogs being caged and killed in China range from 1.5 million to 4 million.
It is illegal to import, export, sell or advertise any domestic dog fur in the United States, but raccoon dog fur is currently not included in this ban.
The Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 banned the trade in domestic dog and cat fur after an HSUS investigation revealed the death toll of 2 million animals a year in China and other parts of Asia and domestic dog fur sale in the United States.
Timeline:
2005 - HSUS begins investigation into raccoon dog fur trade.
Feb. 2006 - HSUS announces widespread industry scandal finding raccoon dog fur for sale in United States.
Dec. 2006 - Tests commissioned by HSUS investigators find raccoon dog fur on jackets advertised as "faux" and labeled as other species such as raccoon or coyote.
Feb. 2007 - Tests commissioned by HSUS investigators find domestic dog fur on unlabeled jackets advertised as "faux" fur.
Feb. 2007 - U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Michael Ferguson (R-N.J.) introduce the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, H.R. 891.
March 2007 - HSUS files petition with FTC seeking to enforce the Fur Products Labeling Act.
Aug. 15, 2007 - Legislation to require fur labeling signed into law in New York.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—On the web at humanesociety.org.
Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251
