Purpose: This bill would protect consumers by bringing much-needed accuracy and full disclosure to fur labeling laws.
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Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Action: SUPPORT. Please contact your two U.S. Senators and urge them to support S. 3610. Tell your Senators that this legislation closes a loophole in current federal law that allows some fur garments to go unlabeled if the value of the fur is less than $150. This loophole leaves consumers in the dark as to whether they are buying faux fur or animal fur. The legislation also requires accurate language on the labels of raccoon dog fur, which was recently the subject of a nationwide scandal in the retail fashion industry. Dozens of jackets advertised as “fake fur” or as different species of animals such as “raccoons” and “coyotes” were found through laboratory testing to be fur from raccoon dogs — a member of the dog family often skinned alive in China. S. 3610 would allow consumers to make decisions about whether they want to support the killing of animals solely for their fur. Under current law, about 14% of garments trimmed with animal fur and sold in the U.S. are exempt from disclosing the fur in labeling or advertising because the value of the fur is less than $150. This occurs even if the fur is dyed pink or blue to look synthetic. Designers and retailers already have an obligation to label fur garments with the name of the species and country of origin if the value of the fur is $150 or more, and S. 3610 would extend that same labeling standard to all fur apparel regardless of value. Investigations in China have revealed millions of raccoon dogs killed by cruel methods, including being skinned alive. Raccoon dog fur trim was found on the majority of the falsely advertised or mislabeled jackets tested over the last three years. Domestic dog fur has also been found on unlabeled garments sold in the U.S., despite being illegal.