SIR - Many Worcestershire constituents have written to me complaining about the barbaric practice of slaughtering millions of cats and dogs in China to make fur coats, gloves and even toys, and then attaching false labels for export - primarily to Europe.

This issue has taken eight years of intensive lobbying to resolve, but I can report back that we have finally achieved success.

As a direct result of the campaign initiated by MEPs, an outright ban against the import of such products will now become law throughout all 27 EU member states.

This is a perfect example of what can be achieved by concerted action at EU level, and of the role that MEPs can play in making it happen.

Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP European Parliament, Brussels.