Post by Currmudgeon on Dec 4, 2003 10:31:17 GMT -5
3:35pm (UK)
New Bid to Ban 'Vile' Trade in Cat and Dog Fur
By Geoff Meade, Europe Editor, PA News in Brussels
Euro-MPs demanding a ban on the trade of cat and dog fur across Europe stepped up the campaign today.
They want to outlaw canine and feline fur imports to discourage the slaughter of millions of animals a year in China to service what Tory MEP Struan Stevenson called a “vile” industry.
Mr Stevenson and the Humane Society International exposed the business last May, providing evidence of a thriving cat and dog fur trade in many European countries including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.
Now Mr Stevenson is bidding for enough signatures on a European Parliament declaration to make an outright EU-wide ban on the cat and dog fur trade the official policy of the European Parliament.
His campaign was joined today by Labour MEP Phillip Whitehead and other members of the European Parliament, as well two Belgian celebrities – soccer star Gilles de Bilde and model Phadera Hoste.
Mr Stevenson said he already had 215 signatures and was launching “an all-out effort” to secure another 100 names to apply enough pressure for proposals for legislation from the European Commission
“Two million cats and dogs are being killed each year in China to fuel this vile trade, and much of this is being directed to EU countries.” Mr Stevenson told a press conference in Brussels.
“DNA tests have shown that rugs, coats and figurines are made from real cat and dog fur, but they are still on sale in shops throughout Europe.
“Europe’s public demands an end to the import, export and sale of these items, but despite such strength of opinion, this cruel trade in cat and dog fur is still not illegal in Europe. It is time the Commission listened to what the people of Europe and their elected representatives are saying.”
“I am determined to press for an immediate ban.”
www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2255178
New Bid to Ban 'Vile' Trade in Cat and Dog Fur
By Geoff Meade, Europe Editor, PA News in Brussels
Euro-MPs demanding a ban on the trade of cat and dog fur across Europe stepped up the campaign today.
They want to outlaw canine and feline fur imports to discourage the slaughter of millions of animals a year in China to service what Tory MEP Struan Stevenson called a “vile” industry.
Mr Stevenson and the Humane Society International exposed the business last May, providing evidence of a thriving cat and dog fur trade in many European countries including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.
Now Mr Stevenson is bidding for enough signatures on a European Parliament declaration to make an outright EU-wide ban on the cat and dog fur trade the official policy of the European Parliament.
His campaign was joined today by Labour MEP Phillip Whitehead and other members of the European Parliament, as well two Belgian celebrities – soccer star Gilles de Bilde and model Phadera Hoste.
Mr Stevenson said he already had 215 signatures and was launching “an all-out effort” to secure another 100 names to apply enough pressure for proposals for legislation from the European Commission
“Two million cats and dogs are being killed each year in China to fuel this vile trade, and much of this is being directed to EU countries.” Mr Stevenson told a press conference in Brussels.
“DNA tests have shown that rugs, coats and figurines are made from real cat and dog fur, but they are still on sale in shops throughout Europe.
“Europe’s public demands an end to the import, export and sale of these items, but despite such strength of opinion, this cruel trade in cat and dog fur is still not illegal in Europe. It is time the Commission listened to what the people of Europe and their elected representatives are saying.”
“I am determined to press for an immediate ban.”
www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2255178