Kiwis want to stroke cats' and dogs' fur, not wear it

Green MP Sue Kedgley is calling on the New Zealand Government to join the growing number of nations who are banning the import and manufacture from Asia of products that use cat and dog fur.

The European Union has just announced that it may ban imports of dog and cat fur used in fluffy toys. Several countries, including Australia, Denmark, the United States, France, Belgium and Sweden, have already banned the trade.

"I am certain New Zealand consumers do not want to buy cat and dog fur and I am sure New Zealand retailers don't want to risk selling it either," said Ms Kedgley, the Greens' Animal Welfare Spokesperson.

"The problem is that much of the dog and cat fur from China is being fraudulently or not properly labelled. This means that consumers don't know where the fur they buy comes from or what methods have been used to get it. The senseless killing of our companion animals for the international fur trade must stop and New Zealand should do its bit to bring it to an end.

"We need to take a clear stand against the barbaric trade in farmed fur. It involves the keeping of animals in appalling conditions of confinement, much as the egg industry keeps hens in cages. It isn't right for hens and it isn't right for cats, dogs or any other sentient creatures. New Zealand should ban the import of cat and dog furs and items including them, as Australia has done."

Ms Kedgley said that, at present, there are no restrictions on the import of cat and dog fur into New Zealand.

"A lengthy investigation by the US Humane Society into the trade found that several million cats and dogs are raised in China in atrocious conditions and then slaughtered and used for the manufacture of clothing, accessories, trinkets and toys.

"New Zealanders would be horrified to learn of the cruel conditions dogs and cats endure in this terrible trade," Ms Kedgley said.

© Scoop Media