EU citizens consider cats and dogs to be family members, not a source of fur – the EU regulation banning the import and export of cat and dog fur, as well as products made from it, follows this logic.
The National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) has initiated the process of drafting a document to ban the introduction into the country’s market or export of cat and dog fur, as well as products containing such fur. Public consultations with stakeholders will take place from February 13 to March 20, 2026.
The project is being developed within the 5th cluster of Moldova’s accession program to the European Union, which, among other things, provides for the transposition of the provisions of the relevant EU Regulation into the national legal framework. The Regulation, in particular, states that EU citizens consider cats and dogs as pets, therefore the use of their fur and products with it is unacceptable.
Cats and dogs are not bred in the EU for fur, but there have been cases of importation. By a document from 2007, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU enshrined a ban on trade in such fur and fur products. For the ban to work, it extends to imports.
Each state independently determines the sanctions for violation of these rules, and they must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
It should be noted that only in extremely rare cases may the sale, import or export of cat and dog fur or products made from it be authorized for educational purposes or for stuffing and display.
