Surely many of our readers have seen a heartbreaking video in which angora rabbits are stripped of hair almost along with the skin. The video was published by PETA, followed by a campaign to collect signatures on a petition to stop the sale of angora products worldwide. And the actions of animal rights activists have paid off.
Recently, the world’s largest reseller Inditex (the parent company of the holding, which includes, among other things, Zara and Massimo Dutti) published a statement that the company will stop selling angora clothing. – in more than 6400 stores worldwide. Currently, thousands of angora sweaters, coats and hats are still stored in the company’s warehouses – they will not go on sale, instead they will be given to Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Negotiations between Inditex and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) continued for more than a year.
In 2013, PETA representatives visited 10 angora wool farms in China, and after that they published a shocking video: the front and hind legs are tied to rabbits, after which the hair is torn off almost with the skin – so that the hairs remain as long and thick as possible. .
Currently, more than 90% of the world’s Angoras are produced in China, and according to PETA, such conditions for the “life” of rabbits are the standard for local production. Following the publication of the results of this study, several major global chains, including Mark & Spencer, Topshop and H&M, stopped selling angora clothing and accessories. Moreover, in the case of Mark & Spencer, it was a 180-degree turn: back in 2012, singer Lana Del Rey was depicted in a pink angora sweater in an advertisement for stores.
Inditex, which is majority-owned by one of the richest men in the world, Amancio Ortega, was silent. After a petition calling for an end to the sale of Angorka items gathered more than 300 signatures, the company issued a statement that they will continue to place orders for Angorka until the results of their own investigation, which will show whether suppliers are actually violating the requirements of the customer company.
A few days ago, a spokesman for the company stated: “We found no evidence of animal cruelty on farms that sell angora to our clothing suppliers. But after discussions and consultations with animal rights organizations, and to encourage companies to look for more ethical ways of producing and setting new standards in our industry, we have decided that it is the right thing to stop selling angora products.”
Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA, commented: “Inditex is the largest clothing retailer in the world. When it comes to animal rights, other participants in this market are guided by them and try to follow them.”
According to The Guardian.