Local MEP champions ban on cat and dog fur
Richard Corbett, Labour Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire & Humber, is calling on his fellow MEPs to back a proposed ban on imports of cat and dog fur when it is debated and voted upon in the European Parliament next week.
People from all over Yorkshire have written in, asking Richard to support the proposed ban on the cruel trade. Over 2 million cats and dogs are slaughtered each year for their skins, usually in China and other Asian countries. It takes the skin of 10 dogs (more if puppies are used) or up to 24 cats to make one coat.
Richard, who is a member of the All-Party Animal Welfare Group, said:“This is an issue my constituents feel very strongly about, and many of them have written to me to express their anger at this barbaric trade.”
Richard added: “This is a great example of how the EU listens to the concerns of its citizens and acts on them. Labour MEPs were the first to speak out against the use of cat and dog fur, which many people unwittingly wear due to mislabelling.
"Now we have persuaded the European Commission to come forward with a proposal for an EU-wide ban on the import or sale of products containing cat or dog fur.”
The European Parliament will vote on June 19th and decide whether or not to support the ban. Should they, as expected, vote in favour, the ban will come into force in December 2008.
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Richard is a member of the European Parliament's Animal Welfare Intergroup
more information
Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP
- phone 0113 245 8987
- e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk
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