Columbia Sportswear, the famous outdoor apparel brand has announced a ban on alpaca fur following the campaigning efforts of PETA, an animal rights organization. People for the Ethical Treatment Animal (PETA) is an American non-profit organization for animal rights, based in Norfolk, Virginia (founded in March 1980).
Columbia Sportswear Company is founded in 1938, based in Portland, Oregon, United States, and the manufacturer and distributor of outerwear, sportswear, and footwear as well as camping equipment, ski apparel, and outerwear accessories. Columbia, Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, prAna are the brands which are releasing under the Colombia Sportswear Company.
Executive vice president of PETA, Tracy Reiman says, “Columbia Sportswear’s decision will go a long way in helping to prevent vulnerable alpacas from being abused and shorn bloody for their fleece.”
The ban will take effect across Colombia’s entire brand portfolio and will guarantee the use of alternative materials such as PrAna, Mountain Hardwear, and Sorel. Colombia joins Ted Baker, Matalan, and New Look in banning alpaca from their apparel collections. PETA’s exposure to alpaca farms has forced to rethink their ethical values as well as influence a ban across the brand.
The ban has spread across Colombia’s entire brand portfolio, and this ban will apply through its Columbia, PrAna, Sorel, and Mountain Hardwear brands. We will observe how they will reconsider their approach when using alternative materials.
The PETA’s exposure to the world’s largest privately-owned alpaca farm in Peru, reasons to Colombia’s ethically and environmentally responsible decision. Documented that the worker’s beatings, kicking and slamming violently the alpacas (while some animals are in pregnancy), onto tables and being tied tightly by the legs, into a restraining device resembling a medieval torture rack. Their legs extend in opposite directions and they have thrown them out of their sockets.
PETA is recognized for purchasing minimal shares in the fashion industry, to get a seat at the annual meetings, to influencing the executives of the brands to purchase the products without animal harming and ask the consumers support to promote a cruelty-free society.
Colombia joins a list of companies that have banned Alpaca, including ESPRIT, Marks & Spencer, Overstock.com, UNIQLO, and Valentino, following the PETA’s unprecedented exposure on the cruel industry, still some companies are profiting by animal cruelty. Finally, we are promoting, the responsible parties should take immediate action to stop selling alpaca fleece.
Cover Photo – www.gokoreatravel.com
