Chinese fur, including cat and dog fur available in UK

[Guest guest]

Dear All

 

Care for the Wild International has succeeded in showing that, contrary to

industry claims, fur from China is entering the UK in large quantities and

that cat and dog fur too can easily been obtained at the click of a button.

Following these revelations we have met with the UK governmment's Department

of Trade and Industry and are delighted to report that we are greatly

encouraged by the outcome of these initial talks regarding the active

promotion of an EU-wide ban on the importation of cat and dog fur.

 

For more details, please read the article below.

 

You can also download Care for the Wild International's report on this issue

at: http://www.careforthewild.comFurbriefingdoc206_paginated.pdf,

 

or find more details at: http://www.careforthewild.com/news.asp?detail=true

<http://www.careforthewild.com/news.asp?detail=true & I_ID=409 & myPage=Latest+N

ews> & I_ID=409 & myPage=Latest+News

 

Best wishes,

 

Barbara

 

 

Dog and cat pelts to your doorstep - Glut of Chinese fur in UK market

 

An investigation by Care for the Wild International has revealed how cheap

Chinese fur, including the pelts of cats and dogs, is flooding into Britain

and the EU. The rise of Internet shopping and the anonymity it affords have

led to a shocking increase in the availability of Asian fur online.

 

Dr Barbara Maas, Chief Executive of Care for the Wild International (CWI)

was able to purchase the skins of household pets over the internet, paying

less than £10 for a dog pelt. “We were also offered skins of domestic cats

for less than £2.60”, she says. “Our research shows how even the skins of

domestic animals can be easily and cheaply bought and delivered directly to

your doorstep.”

 

CWI’s latest report, researched and written by Dr Maas, Care for the Wild

International’s chief executive, illustrates for the first time how easily

fur from domestic cats and dogs can be obtained. The report follows the

charity’s earlier undercover investigation into the cruel and barbaric

conditions of China’s fur farms in 2005.

 

When video footage from the first investigation was shown, it caused outrage

around the world with its unwatchable images of terrified animals, including

red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dogs, rabbits, and mink kept in tiny cages

under appalling conditions. Many were shown being skinned alive. None of

these practices is illegal under Chinese law. Images from this undercover

filming will shortly be aired in an upcoming True Story documentary on the

BBC.

 

The UK government has explained its reluctance to ban the importation of cat

and dog skins on the grounds that they do not enter the UK. But Care for the

Wild International’s findings provide clear evidence that this is no longer

so. The charity therefore urges the UK government to make good on its

promise and ban cat and dog fur imports into this country. Scottish Euro MP

Struan Stevenson, who has championed an EU ban on cat and dog fur for six

years, said, “After 6 years of campaigning resulting in unilateral bans on

cat and dog fur in five EU countries and Switzerland, the majority of MEPs

are determined to see an EU-wide ban put in place by the end of this year.

The public wants us to seal our external EU borders to this evil trade. We

have to take action. An immediate UK ban responding to today's evidence

would send an important signal to the Commission and Council that this must

be a top EU priority.”

 

“Although British and European fur traders deny trading in Chinese fur, our

report shows that these furs are easily and cheaply available across the UK

and London’s most popular shopping areas,” said Dr Maas. “In a two hour snap

survey conducted this spring, I found more garments and accessories made

from, or containing Chinese fur than I was able to carry home. They included

coats, shawls, t-shirts, handbags, shoes and scarves. Some of the items were

on sale for as little as £5.” Despite industry denials, one retailer

questioned by Dr Maas admitted that “everyone sources from China now – it is

much easier and cheaper to obtain.”

 

Following CWI’s initial revelations, the international and British fur

industry, eager not to damage their hard fought for new hip image, was quick

to distance itself from fur produced in China, asserting that hardly any of

it enters UK or European markets. Their claims have now been refuted.

According to figures from the British Fur Trade Association, its members turn

over a massive £500m a year, making Britain the world’s biggest fur buyer.

 

For the past six years, Humane Society International has campaigned to ban cat

and dog fur in Europe. Its investigations have shut down markets in several EU

countries. Care for the Wild's internet sting adds to this campaign by putting

the UK government on notice that Chinese fur of all descriptions is as close as

one's computer and doorstep.

 

 

Dr Barbara Maas

Chief Executive

Care for the Wild International

The Granary, Tickfold Farm,

Kingsfold, West Sussex, RH12 3SE, UK

Tel: +44-(0)1306-627 900

Fax: +44-(0)1306-627 901

E-mail: <blocked::bmaas bmaas

Web: <blocked::http://www.careforthewild.com> www.careforthewild.com

 

You must be the change you want to see in the world.

 

Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Care for the Wild International is a Registered Charity - Charity number 288802,

Website: www.careforthewild.com