Strasbourg, 19/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 19 June in Strasbourg, the European Parliament took a stance in favour of a full EU-wide ban on the trade in cat and dog fur, most of which comes from Asia. With adoption of the report by Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL, Sweden) on this dossier, the EP followed its relevant parliamentary committee by scrapping from the initial proposal any exemption to this barbarous trade (EUROPE 9405). In order, however, to facilitate rapid adoption of the regulation by Council after a single reading, MEPs agreed on a compromise amendment “by way of exceptional derogation” whereby the Commission may adopt provisions allowing cat and dog fur on the EU market “for educational or taxidermy purposes”. The Council is expected to support the Parliament's amendments and adopt the regulation without further changes. The ban will apply as of 31 December 2008. The legislation bans this trade and provides for effective and dissuasive sanctions in the case of infringement. (lc)