HUHNE CALLS FOR BAN ON TRADE IN DOG AND CAT FUR

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 30th Aug 2005

Chris Huhne MP with Wilkie the cat

Chris Huhne, MP for Eastleigh, has taken a stand against the cruel trade in cats and dogs for their fur.

Mr Huhne, pictured here with Wilkie the family cat, has signed a parliamentary motion welcoming the ban imposed on the trade in the US and urging the British government to follow.

Commenting Mr Huhne said: "The harvesting of fur for this trade can be incredibly cruel and is entirely unnecessary." Inflicting such pain on these animals can not be justified and the ban in the US is an important step towards eradicating this trade.

"The US import ban shows that it is possible to implement a ban and enforce it. All US imports require DNA testing which makes it virtually impossible to ship dog and cat fur in to the states without being detected.

"The government is right that action should be taken at EU level but if bans can be implemented in the US and also Italy why not Britain.

"I have consistently campaigned for this ban in Britain and Europe. This is an issue of consumer protection as well as animal welfare. People are misled into buying dog and cat fur when they believe it is artificial.

"The government can no longer pretend that this is an issue which does not need to be addressed. The trade is widespread in Asia, and, disturbingly there have been reports of animals being skinned in Europe. Presently these products including children's toys and women's clothes can find their way in to Britain quite freely and quite clearly this state of affairs is unacceptable.

"I do not believe anybody would want to wear cat and dog fur. The trade is based on cruelty and deception and it is high time the government put an end to it."

Ends

Notes to Editors

• Chris Huhne signed early day motion 94

DOG AND CAT FUR

That this House welcomes the United States ban on the importation of products made with dog and cat fur; expresses concern that this ban means that more of these products may now be imported into the EU and the United Kingdom; is further concerned that consumers may not be aware that products they are buying may be from dog and cat fur; and urges the Government to bring in a ban on the import, export and domestic trade in dog and cat fur or of products made with dog and cat fur as soon as possible