Sweden wants ban on cat and dog skin imports

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Friday 15.11.2002, CET 21:10 November 15, 2002 4:30 PM

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden wants the European Union to ban the import of cat and dog skin products which are often sold under other names, Agriculture Minister Ann-Christin Nykvist said.

The minister said she was acting in reaction to a documentary film showing the grim treatment of cats and dogs and how their fur and skins were imported from Asia.

"According to knowledge many of these products are either imported as prepared furs or skins or as ready-made products to Europe," Nykvist wrote in a letter to EU Commissioner David Byrne.

The documentary, shown recently on Swedish TV, caused an outcry from citizens who flooded the ministry with protest letters. One newspaper collected a petition signed by 200,000 Swedes demanding a ban on imports.

Italy is already planning national legislation against production and sales of cat and dog skin products but so far no legal restraints have been set for their import to the EU.

"I don't think anyone is knowingly wearing dog and cat skin," said Joakim Kellner, the minister's political adviser.

Still, people could be buying cat gloves or dog purses without their knowledge, thinking the leather had been made out of more commonly used animals such as lamb or rabbit.

"We have to make sure that isn't the case," Kellner said.

He said it was difficult to estimate how wide-spread the problem was but hoped Sweden's initiative would lead to discussion and details on how such a ban would work in practice.

Nykvist demanded the Council of Ministers bring up the issue in their next meeting.

Reuters

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2002


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