24/05/2006 Struan with Zhao Xuemin,
Deptuy Chairman of the State Forestry Administration, China. http://www.scottishtorymeps.org.uk/

Scots Tory MEP Struan Stevenson received categorical assurances from senior officials in the Chinese government yesterday that they would stamp out the “illegal and barbaric” trade in cat and dog fur.

The breakthrough came during a high-level meeting in Beijing where Mr Stevenson, as part of his 6-year campaign to end the trade, took his fight to the heart of the Chinese Government.
Mr Stevenson attended a meeting at the State Forestry Administration, where he met with Deputy Chairman – Zhao Xuemin – and five of his senior officials, including Secretary General of the China Wildlife Conservation Association – Chen Runsheng.
Speaking from Beijing, Struan Stevenson said:
“The State Forestry Administration in China is the government department responsible for all animal welfare issues. I met with the top officials who deal with these policy areas and I gave them a copy of a graphic DVD filmed recently at an animal market outside Beijing, which shows dogs and cats being skinned alive. They were horrified by this evidence and Mr Zhao said to me “Chinese law prohibits the barbarian practice of skinning animals alive or indeed any kind of cruelty. We have no tradition in China or wearing fur made from dogs and cats and for centuries have regarded such animals as friends and pets.
However, we cannot deny that incidents of cruelty do occur, such as those you have brought to our attention. Sadly this barbaric trade is driven by economic factors. But, these cases you have mentioned have made a strong impression on us and we will make renewed efforts to stamp out these barbaric practices.”
Struan Stevenson continued:
“I will now report to Commissioner Kyprianou, the European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, that there will be no opposition in China to his proposed directive banning the import, export and trade in cat and dog skins across the EU. Indeed, the senior Government officials in Beijing made it quite clear that they would regard an EU ban as helpful in their fight to stamp out this cruel trade. Commissioner Kyprianou can now proceed with all possible speed to get approval for an outright ban.”