(04/12/2003) European Parliament Campaign Unnecessary

Contrary to recent reports by members of the European Parliament the fur trade does not use or handle cat and dog fur.

Members of the British Fur Trade Association (BFTA), along with members of the European Fur Federation (EFF) do not handle or offer for sale domestic cat and dog skins.

Last year the EFF introduced its own code of conduct stating that the EU fur trade will not handle or offer for sale domestic cat and dog skins (felis catus and canis familiaris). This has been agreed and signed by all 15 member countries.

A spokesperson for the BFTA said: "There is no evidence that cat and dog fur is being imported into the UK. We feel that the campaign launched to ban cat and dog fur is unnecessary – our members do not deal with this type of fur. Any ‘so called’ proof of cat and dog fur found in Europe is not trustworthy. The DNA testing used can not be relied upon as the fur tested will have been treated with chemicals and dye to reach its final condition."

Earlier this year the BFTA introduced a labelling scheme – The BFTA Fur Labelling Scheme – where all retail members of the BFTA are labelling fur garments and accessories sold to the consumer with the fur type in English along with its scientific Latin name. This is to ensure that the consumer knows exactly what they are buying at the point of purchase.

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Issued by the British Fur Trade Association.
Press contact: Andrea Martin
e-mail press@britishfur.co.uk

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Notes to editors:

The BFTA represents the majority of the fur trade in Britain and is a member of the European Fur Federation.
Details of how to join the BFTA Fur Labelling Scheme are available to all organisations selling fur to consumers.