AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CONSUMERS ARE BUYING FUR
International fur sales have been increasing steadily despite global economic uncertainty.
In fact, sales rose by more than 20 per cent between 1999 and 2001. The International Fur Trade Federation and Hong Kong Fur Federation expect results for 2002 to show a further strong increase. More than 300 top international designers are using this natural, renewable fabric in their collections.
There is a clear message here - rather than objecting to the trade, an increasing number of consumers around the world are buying fur.
Contrary to claims made by the Asian Animal Protection Network ('Barbaric trade', South China Morning Post, February 27), the fur trade in Hong Kong neither handles nor sells domestic cat and dog skins. (Felis catus and Canis familiaris). Such practices are banned by law.
The fur trade is a responsible industry, with both farmed and wild fur production highly regulated at international and national levels.
The reality is that animal rights groups do not care about regulation within our industry. Their sole aim is to stop any use of animals, even for food or companionship.
INTERNATIONAL FUR TRADE FEDERATION and HONG KONG FUR FEDERATION
