Humane Society
International (HSI) announced that from this year every Myer store
will cease the sale of real fur products across Australia! We would
like to congratulate them on this historic move which will help to
preserve the lives and end the suffering of some of the millions of
animals who fall victim to the trade.
Ms Jo Lynch, Myer’s General Manager Corporate Affairs commented
"Myer is committed to building a socially responsible business and
we do not condone the use of fur obtained by cruel means. We
appreciate that there are different views on the use of fur sourced
by any means; however, we also acknowledge that community views on
the use of fur in merchandise have changed, regardless of the source
of that fur." Ms Lynch continued, "We have recently reviewed our
sale of fur policy and a 'no fur' policy will be implemented at
Myer, effective immediately."
This major move forward for animal welfare was advanced by the
shocking exposé presented on the George Negus show last October,
which showed graphic undercover footage of intolerable cruelty in
Asia used to produce fur products, where pets are even stolen for
the trade. Last year
evidence was also released that products containing dog and cat
fur were reaching well-known high-street retailers in Australia. Ms
Verna Simpson, HSI Director said "I am sure you find it as
intolerable as we do that your new fur vest or collar could contain
fur from someone's beloved pet! The safest policy for shoppers is to
avoid buying any fur products at all." Ms Simpson continued "Our
website now provides a comprehensive list of
ethical retailers to help customers, and prevent them from
unknowingly buying into such a cruel trade. It’s wonderful news that
Myer are now part of this movement."
As the Government has failed to improve
labelling laws to specify species of origin, it is impossible to
know whether the product contains fur from a
domestic cat or dog. Fur is often mislabelled as rabbit, with no
species specified at all, or even as faux fur, because the Asian
markets are well aware that we are unlikely to buy fur from domestic
pets. But with the news that Myer have now pledged to sell no fur at
all, customers can rest assured that they are safe to shop in any
Myer store without inadvertently contributing towards severe animal
cruelty.
Ms Simpson said "The public response to this issue in the past
has been overwhelming, attracting by far the largest outcry of all
the animal causes HSI has ever championed. Australian consumers
certainly don’t want dog and cat fur products and most Australian
retailers do not want to be at risk of selling it. We are delighted
to have the support from Myer. It is vital that the Minister
intervenes and ensures the gaps allowing these illegal products onto
the Australian market are closed immediately, and tighter labelling
laws, to protect both consumers and retailers, must be enacted as
soon as possible."
