EU ban cat and dog fur

The EU have announced a ban for members to trade in cat and dog fur. The move follows a request for action from EU member states, and a campaign by Paul McCartney and his estranged wife, Heather Mills McCartney. It is estimated that two million cats and dogs are being killed in China by fur traders each year.

"The message that we have received from EU consumers has been loud and clear. They do not find it acceptable to farm cats and dogs for their fur, nor do they want products containing such fur sold on the European market," said Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Markos Kyprianou.

The Commission says that different countries have taken different approaches to banning cat and dog fur, such as bans on rearing cats and dogs for fur, trade or import bans, and compulsory labelling. The European Parliament on Tuesday voted to ban trade in cat and dog fur in the European Union, responding to public calls to outlaw a practice many consider unethical. The ban, which has to be formally approved by EU governments, will apply from Dec. 31. 2008.

21 June 2007

McCartney praises J. Crew's anti-fur stance

American retailer J. Crew is banning fur from its product line. Heather Mills McCartney, the wife of rocker Paul McCartney, has been waging a public battle along with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals against the $800 million a year chain's use of fur.

"It's very, very exciting," McCartney told the New York Daily News, adding she cried when she heard the news Wednesday. A J. Crew spokesman said PETA had no bearing on the retailer's fur ban, which he called "a business" decision, the newspaper said. "The bottom line is that it doesn't matter how it came about," McCartney said, "the who, what and when -- the important thing is that they made the right decision."

Protest against Chinese fur

The news is full of protests against fur, while the catwalks appear inundated by creations dominated by the remains of mink, rabbit, lamb and fox. The animal rights activists have their work cut out for them, with fashionistas the world over demonstrating their disregard for these political agendas.

Last week animal rights activists were found protesting outside a New York department store where they accused designers Tommy Hilfiger and Sean John of using fur from China, where they claim the animals are skinned alive.

The Peta members (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) played videos of alleged fur farms in China outside Macy's in midtown Manhattan, trying to attract the attention of passers-by. They referred to results of an investigation which was released last month by the Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan and Swiss Animal Protection that showed mistreatment of animals in China. The film showed raccoons and foxes being beaten and slammed to the ground and still struggling as their skin was removed.

According to Peta, most of the fur from China is used as a trim on more affordable items like ski jackets.

Vice President of Peta, Dan Matthews, said: "Fur has fallen from favour. They're trying to sneak it back on cheap imports from China."

The organisation has promised to show the horrific video at malls throughout the US in an effort to dissuade them from purchasing fur. However, despite their good intentions and efforts, luxury fur sales have risen in recent years, and a number of retailers have also reported strong sales of lower-end fur items like trimmed goods.

7 March 2005

Fur Back in Fashion?

As designers and celebrities back fur in fashion, protestors put the issue back on the front pages. According to the British Fur Trade Association, fur is making stromg commecial progress. Its most recent figures for 2001/02 report a 35 per cent increase in UK sales of fur garments, trims and accessories. It also claims London is the worldwide centre for fur buyers, with BFTA members responsible for GBP 500m of trade.

Fur even made it onto the high street last autumn at retailers such as Zara, making it difficult to say if consumer attitudes have changed at high street level. It is the pressure groups who are responsible for the majority of the protests, although the anti-fur lobby seems to not have the same effect as it did a few years ago. PETA has tried to use the influence of celebrities to convince UK consumers not to wear fur. In November last year popstar Sophie Ellis Bextor posed, clutching a skinned fox, in a poster with the tag line 'Here's the rest of your fur coat.'

Attitudes toward fur may traditionally be different on the Continent or in the US, but recent seasons prove it is no longer possible to make generalisations. And, if fur-wearers are getting younger, so too are the designers using it. House of Jazz and Ashley Isham are both next generation designers that have used fur in recent collections. According to BFTA spokeswomen Andrea Martin, it is the designers rather than celebrities that are firing the new fascination with fur. Internationally, designers using fur has increased six-fold since 1985.

The decision to buy and wear fur is not always based on consumer acceptance, however. London based department store Liberty states that 'Liberty does not sell fur products.' Harvey Nichols, on the other hand states that 'we are a fashion business, which sources for the consumer the best of fashion design from around the world. From time to time some designers include fur in their collections. The individual makes his or her own decisions to purchase such items.'

Ironically, a boost for real fur has had a knock on effect in the fake fur business. Janice Silvert, who supplies fake fur to Next and other multiples says 'we've really benefited from real fur becoming more acceptable in the UK.

The longevity of the fur renaissance is just as likely to be determined by trends as changing opinions. With international designers such as McQueen, Fendi and Valentino having featured it on the catwalk for next season, the trend will certainly filter down, forcing consumers to make up their own mind as to what they will wear.

19 May 2003