KEY POINTS:
New Zealand should follow the European Parliament's example and ban the import and manufacture of products that use cat and dog fur, the Green Party says.
MP Sue Kedgley said there was a unanimous vote in the European Parliament yesterday to ban the cat and dog fur trade, which meant European countries would join several others which had already imposed it.
"At present there are no restrictions on the import of cat and dog fur into New Zealand," Ms Kedgley said.
"I am certain New Zealand consumers do not want to buy cat and dog fur and that retailers would not want to sell it either."
Ms Kedgley said investigations by Humane Society International had revealed a widespread trade with millions of cats and dogs being bred and slaughtered in horrific conditions.
She said the fur was often fraudulently labelled and was used in clothing, accessories and toys.
"Much of the cat and dog fur coming from China is deliberately mislabelled, or not labelled at all.
"This means that consumers have no way of knowing where the fur comes from, or what methods have been used to get it," Ms Kedgley said.
"The Government needs to protect consumers and take a clear stand against this cruel trade."
Ms Kedgley said a ban could be imposed by amending Customs regulations.
"That is easy to do and should be done as soon as possible."
- NZPA
