Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 6 • Number 21 • 1st December 2006

European Commission Proposes Ban on Trade in Cat and Dog Fur

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On 20 November, the European Commission introduced a proposal to ban imports, exports and sales of cat and dog fur. The legislation is being introduced on animal welfare grounds, based on active requests by civil society organisations and Members of the European Parliament.

According to European Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, consumers “do not find it acceptable to farm cats and dogs for their fur, nor do they want products containing such fur sold on the European market”. Reportedly, such fur has illegally been entering the EU market, often labelled as synthetic. China has been pinpointed as the main source, with cats and dogs being bred for their fur in the country.

The International Fur Trader Federation has however voiced concern over what it calls an unnecessary ban. According to the group, its own voluntary code is sufficient to prohibit cat and dog fur from entering the trade.

Some observers have also noted that the ban could potentially be challenged under WTO rules for being discriminatory. However, the likelihood of such a challenge to be raised appears small, as it would be politically unpopular and could, for example, lead to consumer boycotts.

Some EU member states had already introduced similar bans on cat and dog fur nationally. The European Parliament as well as member states have yet to adopt the new legislation. The US, Australia, Switzerland and New Zealand have already implemented similar bans.

“Questions and Answers on the proposal to ban cat and dog fur in the EU,” EU PRESS RELEASE, 20 November 2006; “EU moves to ban trade in cat, dog fur,” EU BUSINESS, 20 November 2006; “Cat and dog fur trade banned by EU,” THE TIMES, 21 November 2006.