------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 1, 2005 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: The Humane Society of the United States http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/ (abbreviated link text) Heather Mills McCartney, Rock Artist Rick Wakeman United to "Rock the Commission" on EU Cat and Dog Fur Ban 03/01/2005 BRUSSELS ­ At a news conference held today at the European Parliament to launch the "Rock the Commission" campaign, Heather Mills McCartney, activist, businesswoman, and wife of former Beatles Paul McCartney, and rock star Rick Wakeman, lead musician of "Yes," called on European Consumer Affairs Commissioner Markos Kyprianou to ban the production, sale, import and export of cat and dog fur in the European Union. The cruelty associated with the trade in dog and cat fur was first exposed by Humane Society International (HSI), the international arm of The Humane Society of the United States, in a 1998 undercover investigation. Nearly two million cats and dogs in Asia are raised in cruel conditions and mercilessly slaughtered each year solely for their fur. The fur is then shipped mainly to Europe ­ mislabeled as "Asian Jackal," "Corsack Fox," or other fraudulent labels -- for use as parka hood trim, full-length coats, toys and other items. Joining Wakeman and Mills McCartney were Rick Swain, lead undercover investigator for HSI; MEP Struan Stevenson who has been leading the campaign for the ban in the European Parliament; and MEP Paolo Casaca, head of the Intergroup on Animal Welfare, the strongest intergroup in the European Parliament working on animal issues. Shown at today's conference was a video filmed during the 1998 investigation of the cruel living conditions and agonizing slaughter in China of cats and dogs. The 5-minute segment showed the graphic image of the slaughter of an Alsatian who was stabbed and skinned before death. Swain, the HSI undercover investigator, said. "Looking at the video again was a sad reminder of the investigation. It is an incredible tragedy we haven't gotten this through yet. An EU ban could make a huge difference in the marketplace." At the time of the investigation, the fur was used in trim, coats, toy figurines and other articles shipped to the United States, Russia and Europe. As a result of the investigation, the United States banned the practice, and was soon followed by Italy, France, Greece, Belgium and Denmark, as evidence showed cat and dog fur items sold in Europe. A separate investigation by HSI's Australia office resulted in a ban there as well. Mills McCartney learned about the cat and dog fur trade four months ago and has been raising awareness about this "barbaric business" since. Addressing the media at today's conference, she said, "I hope you will take this on as your own campaign." Questioning those who knowingly purchase dog and cat fur, Mills McCartney continued: "Why aren't they happy in their own skins rather than wearing someone else's?" Wakeman expressed further outrage. "No one in the western world would even think of wearing something made from cat or dog fur if they knew what it was," he said. "Consumers and retailers are being duped by being told that these furs are something else," he continued. "The media should ask itself: 'Would I wear this myself?' I doubt it." In December 2003, in a strong majority, the European Parliament supported a written declaration calling for the European Commission to ban the import, export, sale and production of cat and dog fur in Europe. This remains the body's official position in the new Parliament. Previously, the Council of Ministers of Agriculture had also strongly called for the ban. "The trade is preposterous and against our values," Casaca said. "This is something to be dealt with at the EU level. We have good legal advice, and without a doubt, Europe can do what it must." Stevenson, noting the indisputable evidence in favor of the ban, said, "We have fraud on the consumer and retailer; the toxicity from how the fur is cured; and a legal opinion that shows the EU has the authority to implement a ban. There's no hiding place." Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com