CAT AND DOG FUR

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (19 September 2012).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations): The Minister for Business Services and Consumers has provided the following information:

1. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs) has responsibility for enforcing import controls over the importation of domestic cat and dog species fur and fur products. Regulation 4W of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 prohibits the importation of these products without the permission of the federal Minister for Home Affairs.

South Australian consumers also enjoy the protection of the Commonwealth ban on cat and dog fur products.

Customs have asked that if anyone has specific information concerning individuals or companies suspected of illegally importing cat or dog fur products to contact them through their Customs Watch reporting program.

2. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigated the Humane Society International's (HSI) concerns in respect of the levels of chromium allegedly present in the leather from fur garments in July 2011. HSI provided the ACCC with a test report from the University of NSW Analytical Centre concerning the results of tests undertaken into two fur garments. I am not aware of the results of those tests.

The federal Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs may introduce a permanent ban or mandatory safety standard for consumer goods if he is satisfied that the goods will, or may, cause injury. Following their investigation, the ACCC did not recommend this course of action to the Minister for the following reasons:

Residues of chromium and other chemicals may be present in leather articles as a result of the tanning process. While dermal exposure to high levels of the hexavalent form of chromium (chromium VI) can result in adverse health effects among occupations such as those working in the leather tanning or electroplating industries, the ACCC has no evidence that Australian consumers are experiencing harm as a result of exposure to chromium through leather goods.

The ACCC has not found any complaints in its database of rash or dermatitis caused by leather garments in the last two years. Cases of contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis as a result of dermal exposure to chromium through consumer goods are generally very rare. The presence of chromium in leather outer garments is unlikely to result in significant exposure to chromium as there is little, if any, direct skin contact.

The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) is the Australian Government regulatory agency responsible for conducting scientific risk assessments of industrial chemicals and for maintaining the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances. In assessing the safety of chemicals relevant to consumer products the ACCC is guided by the advice of NICNAS. NICNAS have not made any recommendations to the ACCC in relation to the need for regulating hexavalent chromium in leather clothing.

Chromium levels in some consumer goods, including toys and pencils, are regulated; however there are currently no prescribed limits for chromium in clothing under Australian legislation.

Consumer and Business Services has not received any consumer complaints related to skin irritation or allergic reaction to leather clothing.

3. Based on the information to hand, the possibility of consumers being exposed to chromium from contact with leather goods is low. If instances are brought to our attention then appropriate warnings will be issued.

4. The importation of consumer goods is outside the purview of state governments and jurisdiction lays more appropriately with the federal government, particularly the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Trade.

However, if matters are brought to my attention or the attention of Consumer and Business Services we will work with our state and Commonwealth counterparts to address the issue.