Thank you for contacting me about the fur trade and Early Day Motion 267.
Members of the Government do not, by convention, sign any Early Day Motions as doing so is likely to breach the Ministerial Codes rules on collective responsibility.
We are a nation of animal lovers, so it is only right that we have some of the highest welfare standards in the world. In addition to fur farming being banned in the United Kingdom, I am pleased to note that the import of fur products is tightly regulated. It is illegal to import furs derived from cats or dogs, or products made from them. In addition, the fur and skin of endangered animals or fish cannot be imported without a valid permit. As well as this, it is prohibited to import furs or fur products from 13 wild animal species originating in countries where they are caught in the wild by leg-hold traps, or trapping methods that do not meet international standards of humane trapping. Strict rules are also in place to ensure that animals kept for fur production are kept, trapped and slaughtered humanely.
I appreciate that there is considerable support for banning all imports of fur products. The United Kingdom continues to support higher animal welfare standards worldwide as the best way of phasing out cruel and inhumane fur farming and trapping practices that are banned here. Now we have left the European Union, the Government has retained all the current regulations banning imports of cat and dog fur and seal products from commercial hunts, as well as controls on products from endangered species and humane trapping. Until the end of the transition period it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on the fur trade, but at the end of that period the United Kingdom will have a unique opportunity to ensure we have the highest standards in every area of animal welfare.
The United Kingdom will also be able to press for high standards through international forums such as the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and others. The United Kingdom will retake our seat on these bodies and be able more effectively to promote and support improved animal welfare standards internationally.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
James Duddridge MP
Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East