MEP calls for ban on cat and dog fur imports

Ulster Unionist Mr Jim Nicholson has joined 300 MEPs demanding the European Commission bans the "vile" trade in dog and cat fur.

Mr Nicholson said up to 2,000,000 cats and dogs are killed each year in China for their fur, which is used to make ornamental figurines, rugs and coats.

An exampale of a coat made from cat fur

He said a written submission to the European Parliament in Strasbourg calling for an EU-wide ban on the import of the pelts has so far been ignored, with the Eurpean Commission responding the sale of these items is not a problem.

"Those cute little furry cat and dog figurines that are available in gift shops across the UK are not so cute when you find out that they are actually made from dog and cat fur," he said.

"To the vast majority of people this is nauseating and barbaric but unfortunately most are unaware of what exactly they are buying."

Mr Nicholson said that not only is the trade "vile", but poses health risks to humans due to the high levels of chromium used in the tanning process in China.

He said DNA tests on a number of dog fur items showed they contained six times the EU's allowed levels of the chemical, which is potentially toxic to children.

He said tens of thousands of people across Europe have signed petitions asking EU agriculture minister to ban the trade, and called on the public to boycott items made of cat or dog fur.