Several top International retailers, including Arcadia Group, Inditex, and H&M Group have pledged to stop the sale of mohair after PETA released a damning exposé of the mohair industry in South Africa – the source of more than 50 percent of the world’s mohair.
PETA Asia’s investigation, which is the first of its kind, involved 12 farms which were visited in January and February of this year. The expose showed workers horrifically abusing and slaughtering goats, all for just a mohair jumper. PETA US is asking law-enforcement agencies to investigate and file charges, for what the group believes are violations of South Africa’s Animals Protection Act, 1962.
"Baby goats were left screaming in pain and fear on the shearing floor, all for mohair jumpers and scarves," said PETA spokesperson Emily Rice. "PETA is urging Australian shoppers to check clothing labels carefully and if it says 'mohair’, leave it on the rack."
In an unprecedented move, large retail brands have come on board with a pledge to ban mohair products. Arcadia Group will no longer purchase mohair for any of its eight brands, which include retail giant Topshop. Gap Inc. has also vowed to no longer source mohair products for Old Navy and its other brands.And H&M Group, and Inditex’s seven apparel brands, which include Zara, have all promised to be mohair-free by 2020.
