The Introduction of the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2009

Floor Speech

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TRUTH IN FUR LABELING ACT OF 2009 -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 19, 2009)

SPEECH OF HON. JAMES P. MORAN OF VIRGINIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

* Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce, along with Representative Mary Bono Mack, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2009, which would require the labeling of all garments containing animal fur.

* Current law contains a glaring loophole that allows garments containing less than $150 dollars in fur to be sold in the U.S. without an identifying label. The result is that consumers lack the information they need to make informed choices and may inadvertently purchase garments that contain real fur, possibly from a dog or cat. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) strongly supports this bill as a way to guarantee consumers full and accurate information and to cut down on the amount of illegal dog and cat fur making its way into the U.S.

* In recent years, HSUS investigators found a proliferation of falsely labeled and falsely advertised dog fur on fashion clothing sold by some of the largest names in U.S. retailing. Of the fur-trimmed jackets subjected to mass spectrometry testing by HSUS, 96 percent were found to be domestic dog, wolf or raccoon dog, and either mislabeled or not labeled at all.

* Half of all fur garments entering the United States come from China, where large numbers of domestic dogs and cats as well as raccoon dogs are killed every year for their fur by brutal methods, sometimes skinned alive. The Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 banned the trade in dog and cat fur after an HSUS investigation revealed the death toll at 2 million animals a year and found domestic dog fur for sale in the United States.

* While it is currently illegal to import, export, sell or advertise any domestic dog or cat fur in the United States and fur from other animals must be identified with a label, a loophole exists that allows a sizable portion of fur garments to avoid this labeling requirement. The Fur Products Labeling Act of 1951 exempts garments with a ``relatively small quantity or value'' of fur from requiring labels disclosing the name of the species, the manufacturer, the country of origin and other pertinent information for consumers. The Federal Trade Commission defines that value today as $150--an amount that allows multiple animal pelts on a garment without a label.

* Regardless of value, consumers have the right to know if a product they purchase contains real fur. Consumers who may have allergies to fur, ethical objections to fur, or concern about the use of certain species, cannot make informed purchasing choices. Furthermore, the ability for consumers to make well-informed decisions based on complete information is a cornerstone of a functioning market economy.

* Importantly, labeling fur trim will not be economically burdensome for apparel manufacturers or retailers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the total number of fur garments, fur-trimmed garments, and fur accessories sold in the United States is estimated at 3,500,000. Of that, approximately 3,000,000 items--or 86 percent--are already required to abide by labeling requirements. It will not present a difficulty to label the additional 14 percent of products using animal fur. In fact, this legislation may actually increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process because it removes the need to determine an item's value for labeling purposes.

* Consumer protection officials and leaders in the retail and fashion industries support fur labeling. Legislation closing the loophole in the Fur Products Labeling Act has been endorsed by Tommy Hilfiger, Burlington Coat Factory, Loehmann's, Buffalo Exchange, House of Deréon, Jay McCarroll, Andrew Marc, and others. Leading designers and businesses understand the need for clear labeling laws to protect consumer confidence in their products. Additionally, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA), an organization representing more than 160 government agencies and 50 corporate consumer offices, recently passed a resolution in support of truthful fur labeling and advertising, including the elimination of loopholes.

* It is clear that current regulations undercut consumers' ability to make informed purchases and contributes to the continued presence of dog and cat fur in garments sold in the U.S. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the committee of jurisdiction to bring attention to this issue and enact the needed reforms included in the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2009.

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