Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has pledged his support for a move to ban fur imports into the UK.

Mr Davies was part of a group of MPs who have written to Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Michael Gove, calling on the UK Government to take the lead on animal welfare by committing to ban the importing of fur.

An estimated £75 million of fox, rabbit, mink, coyote, chinchilla and raccoon dog fur is imported into the country annually.

"I want our Government to be proactive in improving animal welfare, and was very pleased that last week we banned the third party sales of puppies and kittens, and have recently carried out progressive work in the tightening of Ivory Trade laws," he said.

"However, the UK still imports fur from abroad, and recent reports and videos by animal welfare organisations have shown the full extent of the horrific conditions at overseas fur farms. I do not want the ability to export these mistreated animals to the UK, giving encouragement to this horrific trade.

"The UK must continue to be at the forefront of tackling animal cruelty. The Secretary of State at DEFRA has recently taken some important steps to eliminate abuse of animals. I am fully supportive of further strengthening of animal welfare legislation and am calling for fur imports to the UK to be abolished.”

The UK banned fur farming in 2003, but currently still imports fur from other countries. A recent undercover investigation by campaign group Open Cages revealed 'horrific' conditions on Mink fur farms in Lithuania.

Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Kerry McCarthy said: "There’s no higher welfare form of fur farming. There’s no cuddly way of doing this, it is a horrific trade. We have just exported the cruelty.

"I would call on Michael Gove to push for an immediate ban on fur imports."

The Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee launched an inquiry in February 2018 into the fur trade in the UK.

Mike Moser, chief executive of the British Fur Trade Association, said: "The committee does not support calls for a trade ban but instead recommends a consultation on the issue.

"They also recognise that animal welfare concerns should be balanced by consumer choice."