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Government responds to fur trade inquiry
“The report revealed that real fur is being sold as fake, proving that retailers are ignoring their responsibility to consumers." (Stock photo)
Recommended fur labelling law ‘would not be effective’

The Government has said it will not introduce a new fur labelling law, as it does not believe this would be an effective remedy for recent cases of real fur being sold as faux fur.

Neil Parish, chair of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee said the decision was a “missed opportunity to make retailers responsible for what they sell to customers”.

A recent inquiry by the committee concluded that retailers and Trading Standards had been ‘complacent’ about the issue. Enforcement of the regulations surrounding the sale of fur has also been poor, the report said.

Committee members made a series of recommendations, including a new mandatory labelling regime to identify fur and other animal products accurately, including the species of fur, country of origin and method of production.

However, the government said it does not believe this would be effective, as it would not change the ability or incentive for suppliers and traders to mislead the businesses they work for.

Mr Parish said: “The report revealed that real fur is being sold as fake, proving that retailers are ignoring their responsibility to consumers. We wanted to see the Government use the Report to address this worrying, often unchecked, issue.
 
“Brexit also gives the UK the option to strengthen labelling of clothes, which must be consistent and customer-friendly. Sadly, it seems the government will waste this chance to address the ongoing problems in the Fur Trade industry, failing many retailers and consumers in the process.”

Responding to other recommendations in the report, the government said it may be possible post-Brexit to ban fur imports or sales. It will also assess what specific civil sanctions should be introduced to ensure breaches of the textile labelling regulation can be dealt with swiftly.

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.