A BAN on the trade in dog and cat fur in the UK has been demanded by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice.

Speaking from Westminster, Mr Prentice said there was an urgent need for action because of a recent ban in the United States on the import of products made from such fur.

He added: "This means that more dog and cat fur is likely to find its way into Europe and the UK where the trade is currently quite legal and there are no labelling requirements."

Mr Prentice said most dog and cat fur came from the Far East adding: "I think the majority of people in this country would be sickened at the thought of the estimated two million dogs and cats killed annually as part of this trade."

Such fur, he said, was not easy to distinguish from others, such as fox, rabbit and mink, and was usually less expensive.

It provided an incentive for importers to use dog and cat fur for the making of clothing, decorative accessories, stuffed toys and pet toys.

Mr Prentice added: "While I am not in favour of any animal fur being used in this way, I find the use of dog and cat fur particularly repugnant and I want to see a ban on this trade."