Dog & Cat Fur Trade

[Guest guest]

Here is another article from the UK concerning the Cat & Dog Fur Trade.

 

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=77707 & command=display\

Content & amp;sourceNode=77259 & amp;contentPK=5554613

 

CATCH-22' FOR ANIMALS TRAPPED IN FUR TRADE

 

AURA SABADUS

 

09:00 - 13 May 2003

 

The fate of millions of cats and dogs destined to be killed for their

skins hinges on future decisions by the World Trade Organisation, a

Westcountry campaigner warned yesterday. Every year over two million

animals are being allegedly slaughtered in Far East countries to make

coats, blankets and linings of gloves and ski boots which are then sold

in countries across Europe.

 

Until now, the fur products were thought to originate exclusively from

China or the Philippines.

 

But now, a recent undercover investigation has revealed a more shocking

and hitherto unknown aspect of the trade - that of clandestine cat fur

farmers and cat thieves operating in Europe.

 

David Neale, Cornish-based chairman of the Animal Asia Foundation, said:

" Revelations that cats and dogs are being farmed for their coats in

countries like Belgium come as a shock.

 

" The UK Government ought to consider this matter extremely seriously and

introduce an immediate ban. Unfortunately it's difficult to act because

the European Union says it's up to the individual member state to stop

the trade.

 

" On the other hand individual states say they can't implement a total

ban until they have firm evidence this trade is taking place in Europe.

It's a Catch-22 situation.

 

" The only way out would be to get the World Trade Organisation to make

special recommendations on animal welfare, asking countries to ban the

trade. However, they may be reluctant to do so as they don't want to be

accused of any discrimination. "

 

Now Mr Neale and other animal campaigners have called on MEPs to take

nthe matter to the European Parliament.

 

Suzy Gale, chairman of the Conservative Animal Welfare Group, said: " The

question of stray and feral animals should be addressed in a humane and

practical fashion.

 

" Countries facing problems over stray cats and dogs should welcome

assistance offered. Cyprus, for example, permitted us to send teams of

British veterinary surgeons to carry out a cat neutering programme over

three years. This not only helped to reduce the numbers of unwanted

kittens, but also raised a far greater awareness of animal welfare

issues among people on the island.

 

" It is not generally necessary to kill feral animals, and totally

unacceptable to turn them into items for domestic use. If substantiated,

this practice must be condemned immediately, and a full inquiry held

within the institutions in the EU needs to take place with all speed. "

 

Last February a WMN investigation revealed that toys thought to be the

products of the cruel Chinese trade in cat and dog hair were sold openly

in the Westcountry.

 

Scottish MEP Struan Stevenson, who sent a figure to be tested at

Amsterdam University as part of his campaign to stop the imports, said:

" The little kitten in the basket found by the Western Morning News is

actually identical to the toys which tested positive for dog hair at

Amsterdam University. "

 

However, the chances of the public being able to tell whether similar

toys they have bought are made from cat fur or dog hair are slim - DNA

testing costs around £12,000 a time. All campaigners can do is warn

people of the cruel trade, and highlight the lack of legislation at both

national and European level hampering their efforts to stop it.

 

Last night Mr Neale said: " I urge anyone willing to help to write to

their local MP or MEP, to the Minister of Trade, Baroness Symons, or the

EU Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy, to implement an outright ban on

the import, export and trade in all products made from dog and cat hair

within the EU and within the UK.

 

" They should emphasise the fact that since the US banned all dog and cat

hair products, exporters have turned to Europe to market their

products. "

 

asabadus

 

 

ENDS....

 

--

Dave Neale

Animals Asia Foundation

 

Find out more about the historic China Bear Rescue by visiting the

Animals Asia Foundation website at http://www.animalsasia.org