On 20 November 2006, the European Commission adopted a proposal to ban the import, export and sale of cat and dog fur in the EU. The proposal was drawn up in response to strong demands from EU citizens, as well as politicians, who asked for measures to be taken to prevent cat and dog fur from being sold in the EU.
- Cat and dog fur: Commission proposes total EU ban
- Questions and Answers on the proposal to ban cat and dog fur in the EU
The Commission proposal was negotiated in Council and European Parliament up to June 2007, with a view to concluding this dossier as quickly as possible through the co-decision procedure. On 19 June 2007 the European Parliament approved a compromise text, which the Council and the Commission also agreed on.
Press release of the Commissioner's speech
The Council formally adopted the proposal in November 2007.
The ban will apply from 31 December 2008. This transitional period is necessary as several Member States have to adapt their national legislation to the new EU wide ban.
The ban on import, export and sale of cat and dog fur enters into force on 1 January 2009