Brussels, 13/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - Speaking to reporters, Flemish regionalist Nelly Maes criticised the continuing trade in cat and dog fur in Europe. A video made in secret by an American non-governmental organisation (NGO), "The Humane Society of the United States", is said to prove that a coat made of cat fur was recently on sale in a Belgian shop. "Consumers are the victims of terrible fraud at their expense in that they may buy a whole range of articles sold freely in Europe manufactured from cat and dog hair, even coats made from the skin of German shepherd dogs and golden retriever blankets", the MEP said indignantly, urging for a ban on imports into the European Union of products (mainly toys, coats) made in Asia from cat and dog fur, although this is not mentioned on the label. Nelly Maes added that the ban on such products would help to "protect both animals and consumers from this cruel exploitation by unscrupulous farmers". Two millions cats and dogs are raised and killed in Asia each year in deplorable conditions.