Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 230/2/10

3 January 2008

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 4/2008

European Union (EU)* : Ban on Cat and Dog Fur and Products Containing Such Fur

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU has recently adopted a Regulation to ban cat and dog fur, and products containing such fur. Details are set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1523/2007 (the Regulation). The Regulation can be accessed through the following link :
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2007/l_343/l_34320071227en00010004.pdf

DETAILS

2. In the perception of EU citizens, cats and dogs are considered to be pet animals and therefore it is not acceptable to use their fur or products containing such fur. To restore confidence of consumers on fur products and eliminate obstacles to the fur trade, the EU authorities considered necessary to ban the placing on the market and the import to, or export from, the Community of cat and dog fur, and products containing such fur starting from 31 December 2008. However, the European Commission may exceptionally adopt measures allowing the sale, import or export of cat and dog fur or products containing such fur for educational or taxidermy purposes.

ENQUIRIES

3. For enquiries concerning the contents of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Cyrus NG)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.