NORTH-EAST Conservative MEP Martin Callanan has joined Euro MPs in a fresh call for an outright ban on the cat and dog fur trade.
Last year, nine agriculture ministers from member states formally asked the European Commission to ban the import, export and sales of such furs and skins.
Conservative MEPs now hope to compel the EU to impose a ban by gaining cross-party support for such a measure.
Campaigners said Asian merchants in the trade have switched their attention to Europe after the US banned imports completely.
Mr Callanan said: "Over two million cats and dogs are raised each year under cruel conditions in Asia and then slaughtered solely for their skins and furs."
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