Government Urged To Ban Sale Of Toxic, Fur-trimmed Children's Clothing

London – Following a newly released study documenting unsafe levels of potentially carcinogenic chemicals in fur-trimmed children's clothing sold by several brands, including Canada Goose, Nickelson, Airforce and Woolrich, PETA rushed a letter to Elizabeth Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging her to take action to ban the sale of the material. The shocking results from the Bremer Umwelt Institute in Germany revealed that the raccoon dog and coyote fur contained large amounts of toxic substances, particularly formaldehyde, which causes allergic reactions and is considered a carcinogen, and ethoxylates, which are known to be disruptive to hormone production and reproductive organs. As PETA's letter points out, with children's health potentially at stake and the cruelty inherent in the fur industry, fur items should not be stocked on any shelf.

"Because the fur trim on the jackets comes into direct contact with the face and because children are far more sensitive to harmful chemicals than adults are, it is deeply concerning that these chemicals may be absorbed into the bloodstream of a child's still-developing body", writes PETA campaign coordinator Kirsty Henderson. "In addition to causing the suffering and deaths of the millions of animals who are trapped, gassed, poisoned, drowned or electrocuted every year for the cruel fur trade, the toxic cocktail of hazardous chemicals used in the production and processing of furs to stop them from decomposing poses a very real threat to the health of those who wear them."

You can see for yourself in this video, courtesy of PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to wear"—what life is like for animals on fur farms in Europe and around the globe, including countries that claim to have high welfare standards.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.