Internal market: ban the placing on the market and the import or export of cat and dog fur and products containing such fur

The Commission presents its report on the application of Regulation (EC) No 1523/2007 banning the placing on the market and the import to, or export from, the Community of cat and dog fur, and products containing such fur. The ban on cat and dog fur applies in the European Union since 31 December 2008.

The report describes the enforcement measures put in place by the Member States to prevent the placing on the market, the import to or export from the Union of cat and dog fur, and products containing such fur. It also provides an overview on the methods of analysis used by the Member States to identify the species of origin of fur and on the penalties applicable in case of infringements. It covers the years 2009 and 2010.

The adoption of this report was delayed due to the need for the Member States to collect enough information on the implementation of the ban. Some data were received only at the beginning of 2012, allowing a full analysis to be undertaken only during 2012.

The main conclusions of the report are as follows: Member States set up a system of controls in order to implement the ban. They mainly integrated checks for the ban in their existing systems of controls by taking the following actions:

- the modification of national legislations in order to repeal previous national measures prohibiting cat and dog fur and to introduce penalties;

- the designation of the competent authorities and officials responsible;

- the designation of the methods of analysis and laboratories performing them in order to identify whether the fur comes from a domestic dog or cat in case of suspicion;

- the training and elaboration of procedures in order to inform officials performing the controls;

- the dissemination of information to business operators and general public.

The primary objective of the systems of controls is to prevent the entry into the Union of illegal commercial imports of cat and dog fur from third countries because most of it originates from there.

In 2009 and 2010, Member States' controls were therefore mainly focussed on preventing illegal imports. Direct involvement of Customs authorities and the use of the Commission database TARIC by business operators and Member States allowed for a harmonized implementation of the ban regarding illegal imports. Member State controls were complemented within the Union by checks carried out mainly in retail shops. Where necessary, samples were taken for analysis to confirm the presence of cat and dog fur. Illegal products were seized and destroyed when identified. Sanctions were pronounced in the case of infringements.

The number of controls increased in 2010 compared to 2009 as well as the number of samples taken and sent for analysis. 2009 was the first year when the Regulation came into force and the level of implementation increased in 2010 as, by that time, Member States had taken measures to organise the checks. According to the Member States, goods that they identified as potentially containing cat and dog fur were mainly jackets and coats, scarves, neckerchiefs, key rings and leather articles.

Overall, the application of the Regulation had a positive impact as it simplifies the work of business operators since it has replaced several national bans applied with different procedures. In addition, in stakeholders' opinion, the ban contributed to limiting the risk that European consumers may be exposed to buying cat and dog fur or products containing such fur.