92002E2851

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2851/02

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 October 2002)

Subject: Fur trade

In August 2002, investigations by the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society International showed that fur from Asian domestic cats was being sold both in Vienna and other towns in Austria. This means that cat and dog fur can now be bought by consumers in seven Member States in the United Kingdom, the authorities assume that this fur is being sold there.

How can the Commission justify saying that, although this trade goes on in 50 % of Member States of the European Union, it is not an issue for the single European market?

Should the trade in cat and dog fur not also come under European Union control, since consumers are not being adequately informed about their purchases?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-2851/02 and E-3088/02given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2002)

Since a complete ban on the production, use, trade and import of cat and dog furs as intended by certain Member States and frequently demanded in the Union would apply, regardless of the conditions under which the animals are kept and killed, it is evident that such measures are not motivated by animal welfare concerns. The motivation is rather an ethical question, whether to use products derived from animals which are mainly regarded as companion animals. A measure, which aims mainly to protect public morality, could be seen as lying within the competence of the Member States.

The Commission has no proposals at present to inform European consumers on the way fur products are obtained and is not aware of any such proposals in the Member States. The situation will be kept under review.