Proposal to ban dog, cat fur

The European Commission yesterday tabled a formal proposal to ban the import, export and sale of cat and dog fur in the EU.

Although not very common, the importation of products containing such furs in Malta is not illegal. The situation is the same in another 10 EU member states as only 15 member states have laws against this practice.

According to the Commission there is evidence that cat and dog fur is being placed on the European market, usually undeclared or disguised as synthetic and other fur. The majority of cat and dog fur is believed to be imported from third countries, particularly China, where the rearing of these animals for this purpose is practised.

According to the Commission, this fur has been found not only in clothing but also on a number of personal accessories and in children's soft toys.