Asked by: Ian Mearns (Labour - Gateshead)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to her Chatham House speech which set out the vision for values-driven free trade on 29 October 2020, what steps she has taken to promote higher animal welfare standards with regard to the UK trade in animal fur; and what negotiating position her Department proposes to take with regard to trade agreements with countries that export animal fur to the UK.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
HM Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare. There are restrictions on some skin and fur products, which cannot be legally imported into the United Kingdom. These include fur from cats and dogs, seal skins and products from commercial hunts. Legislation has prohibited farming of animals for their fur since 2000 in England and Wales, and 2002 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards in our trade negotiations. All products imported into the United Kingdom will, as now, have to comply with our import requirements, including the above bans.