Australia to ban Trade in Cat and Dog Fur

[Guest guest]

Media Release

 

 

SENATOR THE HON. CHRISTOPHER ELLISON

 

Minister for Justice and Customs Senator for Western Australia

 

E62/03 21 May 2004

 

Trade in cat and dog fur banned

 

The Australian Government will immediately move to ban trade in cat and

dog fur, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison,

said today.

 

The Government will amend the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations

1956 and the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 to stop

import and export of the fur of domestic cat and dog species (Felis

cattus and Canis familiaris respectively).

 

Senator Ellison said the Howard Government had decided in April to

introduce the ban after careful consideration and consultation with key

groups in the community.

 

“I have received more than 9000 representations from a broad section of

the community supporting a ban – the largest volume of correspondence I

have received on a single issue in almost four years as Minister,” he

said.

 

“This concern has led directly to the Government working closely with

key groups to ensure the ban is as effective and comprehensive as

possible.

 

“Many Australian families have cats and dogs as family pets, and the

Government has listened to the many representations made on this issue

and taken action to ensure that Australia makes no contribution to this

disturbing trade in the fur of domestic companion animals.”

 

The Prime Minister has written to Premiers and Chief Ministers asking

them to take parallel action by also banning the domestic sale and

production of goods using cat and dog fur using State or Territory

legislation.

 

“The agreement and support from the States and Territories will clearly

signal to those who engage in this business that Australia will not

allow any commercial trade in these products.”

 

Under special circumstances, written permission may be sought for dog

and cat fur goods to be imported or exported. These circumstances could

include a domestic pet that has been preserved by taxidermy, or possibly

for research or historical display purposes.

 

“Goods of concern most likely to be made of dog or cat fur allegedly

include clothing and footwear, gloves, hats and toys, other accessories

and fur-covered animal figurines,” Senator Ellison said.

 

“Other countries such as the United States and Italy already have

legislation in place to stop the trade in cat and dog fur products. I am

delighted that Australia will now join with these countries in cracking

down on this unacceptable trade,” Senator Ellison said.

 

Media Inquiries: Simon Troeth (02) 6277 7260/(0439) 300 335

 

http://www.ag.gov.au/www/justiceministerHome.nsf

 

 

 

 

 

--

Dave Neale

UK Director

Animals Asia Foundation

 

Find out more about our historic China Bear Rescue and Friends or Food?

projects

by visiting the Animals Asia Foundation website at

http://www.animalsasia.org