The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Delaware General Assembly and Gov. Ruth Ann Minner for signing into law today legislation requiring all garments made with animal fur to say so on the label, closing a loophole. The measure, H.B. 216, sponsored by Rep. Melanie George Marshall (D-5) and Sen. Margaret Rose Henry (D-2), passed unanimously in the Senate, and goes into effect on June 1, 2010. New York passed similar legislation last year in the wake of HSUS investigations demonstrating false advertising of unlabeled jackets by well-known retailers.
An ongoing investigation by The HSUS found unlabeled jackets falsely advertised and 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 can have more confidence now that they are not being duped into supporting abuses of the fur trade like raccoon dogs being skinned alive," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president for The HSUS. "We applaud Governor Minner for signing into law this important policy to protect consumers from rampant deception."
In the wake of The HSUS' 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.
Similar legislation was signed into law in New York last year and Massachusetts and Wisconsin already have similar laws in effect.
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 164 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' 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 found domestic dog fur for sale in the United States.
Timeline:
- 2005 – The HSUS begins investigation into raccoon dog fur trade.
- Feb. 2006 – The 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. Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Michael Ferguson (R-N.J.) introduce the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, H.R. 891.
- March 2007 – The 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.
