The European Union released key elements of a proposed directive Nov. 20 that would ban the import, export, sale and production of cat and dog fur in Europe.
The proposal, announced by the commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Markos Kyprianou, has the potential to save millions of animals from an inhumane life and cruel death due to the fraudulent fur trade. A directive binds member states within a specific timeframe, but it does not indicate how each member must implement the decision. It leaves it up to each country to translate the directive's goals into law.
The Dog and Cat Fur Trade in Europe
More than three years ago, a majority of the European Parliament's members signed a written declaration calling for a ban on this type of fur. Only under Kyprianou's administration has the commission acted in response to the declaration and to the public's demands to ban the cruel trade within its member countries.
Humane Society International undercover investigators provided the commission with a staggering display of coats, rugs, toys and other items collected in the European Union and shown to be made from the domestic cats and dogs, coming mainly from Asia. Some of the items tested also contained high levels of chromium (from the tanning process), a metal potentially toxic to children. HSI also revealed that during undercover work, both Belgian and Czech dealers claimed that some of the fur came from local strays.
It is estimated that more than 2 million cats and dogs are raised in Asia solely for their furs and skins. While the United States banned this type of fur several years ago, the result of an HSUS campaign, its sale is still flourishing in Europe and Russia.
Directive Would Put Pressure on China to End Fur Trade
At the urging of European Parliament member Struan Stevenson, who has led the campaign with HSI Europe for more than seven years, the Chinese government finally recognized the existence of the cat and dog fur industry and said it would bring the cruelty to an end. But without an EU committed to a ban, China previously had no impetus to act. With this new legislative proposal on the table at the EU Parliament, pressure will intensify on China to make good on its promise to end the trade once and for all.
