Top Market Research Firm Orders Retraction of Misleading Fur Claims

Claims by Labour MP Maria Eagle that the vast majority of people oppose the wearing of fur have been shot down by leading market research firm MORI.

As promoter of a Private Member's Bill to ban fur farming in Britain, Ms Eagle had used in Parliament the statistic provided by fellow supporter, the animal welfare charity, RSPCA.

But on the Internet, MORI has called on the RSPCA to withdraw the misleading information on public attitudes. The researchers point out that 86% of people said they would not wear fur (for whatever reason); they did not ask respondents why they would not wear fur.

"It is just the latest in a series of public statements that have misled people," the British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) said. "Today, fur farmers denied Ms Eagle's claim that they supported her Bill, and her assertion that the fur trade is in decline is also wrong with more fashion designers than ever before choosing to use fur."

And the BFTA added: "Earlier this month, the Advertising Standards Authority ruled the allegation that fur farming was 'cruel' was not a factual statement but a matter of opinion."

The BFTA said: "We know from Prime Minister Tony Blair's recent statement on his approach to genetically modified food that the Government believes in taking account of scientific evidence and opposes the idea of legislation being driven by public opinion whipped up by special interest pressure groups."

"It's time Ms Eagle and the RSPCA listened to reason, looked at the true facts and considered how they can assist in improving further animal welfare, which is what they allegedly are interested in."

See also:

Battle of Britain : Can Farmers Count on Democracy? FCUSA press release, Mar. 6, 1999.

Notes to editors:

• The BFTA is a trade association with members at all stages of the supply chain from fur farming and commodity trading to craftsmanship and fashion retailing. The BFTA represents its members' views and interests to Westminster and Whitehall and to other national and international administrations.
• The Advertising Standards Authority said in its ruling on 10 March 1999 that "in an emotive debate such as animal suffering, the quoted claim (by Respect for Animals) that 'keeping animals in these conditions is cruel' would be seen as a statement of opinion". The Advertising Standards Authority has previously found against Respect for Animals, the Nottingham-based animal rights group, in February 1997 when it said that its poster campaign went "beyond the bounds of acceptability and was likely to cause serious or widespread offence and distress". Respect for Animals is also co-supporter of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill.

For more information contact: Jan Brown, The British Fur Council, Brookstone House, 6 Elthorne Road, London N19 4AG; info@britishfurcouncil.com. Tel: 0171 281 2487. Mobile 0403 523011. Fax: 0171 281 1374.

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