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Report on UK fur trade published
Fur farming was banned in the UK in 2000 and EU regulations make it illegal to trade in fur from domestic cats and dogs or commercial seal hunts.
Committee finds retailers ‘did not do enough’ to counter faux fur scandal 

Retailers and Trading Standards have been ‘complacent’ about the issue of real fur being sold as fake fur, according to a recent inquiry.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee published its report, Fur Trade in the UK, following a string of recent high-profile cases involving real fur being sold as fake fur by a number of major retailers.

According to the committee, enforcement of the regulations surrounding the sale of fur has been poor and retailers named in the report ‘did not do enough’ to counter the mis-selling of fur as fake fur.

“Reports of real fur being sold as fake fur shows that retailers are flouting their responsibility to consumers,” Efra chair Neil Parish. “The mis-selling of real fur should not be discovered by campaign organisations and the media, but by Trading Standards officers and retailers.

“Retailers of all sizes are complacent about the issue of fake faux fur. It is illegal to give misleading information and Trading Standards have been poor at identifying and acting against those who are doing so.”

Mr Parish added that Brexit offers an opportunity to improve the UK’s labelling system; however, this will depend on the nature of the future EU-UK trading relationship.

Key recommendations in the report:
  • the government should launch a public consultation on whether to ban the sale of real fur
  • local authorities must be properly resourced, take more responsibility and provide training for Trading Standards officers
  • recent work to improve the supply chain and communication with online sellers must continue
  • mis-selling of real fur as fake fur should be proactively investigated
  • post-Brexit, a new mandatory labelling regime should be introduced to identify fur and other animal products accurately; including the species of fur, country of origin and method of production.

Fur farming was banned in the UK in 2000 and EU regulations make it illegal to trade in fur from domestic cats and dogs or commercial seal hunts. However, the UK continues to import and sell fur from a range of other species including fox, rabbit, mink, coyote, raccoon dog and chinchilla.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.