Patagonia released an online statement on Monday saying the outdoorwear brand will stop sourcing wool from the Ovis 21 network of farms in Argentina. The outerwear giant expressed the news after footage was leaked last week by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which showed sheep being injured and killed on one of the Ovis 21 Patagonia-based farms.
Patagonia’s chief executive officer Rose Marcario said the Californina-based clothing firm found "the most shocking portion of PETA’s video show(ing) the killing of animals for human consumption."
Patagonia concluded that “it is impossible to ensure immediate changes to objectionable practices on Ovis 21 ranches, and we have therefore made the decision that we will no longer buy wool from them.”
"Patagonia’s partnership with Ovis 21 has been a source of pride because of the program’s genuine commitment to regenerating the grassland ecosystem, but this work must come equally with respectful and humane treatment of the animals that contribute to this endeavor," Marcario added via the blog plost.
The news comes an animal rights activist and luxury designer Stella McCartney said Friday that she had stopped sourcing from the Ovis 21 network after seeing the film. Patagonia had said Friday it was investigating the film’s claims, before making a decision.
Marcario conveyed that “what’s most important is that we apply strong and consistent measures to ensure animals on ranches that supply wool for products bearing the Patagonia name are treated humanely, whether during shearing or slaughtering.”
She said that while the company had taken steps to protect animals when partnering with Ovis 21 it had failed to implement a comprehensive process to assure animal welfare.
Patagonia does, however, reject the views held by PETA and Stella McCartney that wool production, in general, is cruel, and said it will continue to use wool because of its “unique performance attributes.” But, the brand said it will develop synthetic-wool alternatives to meet all consumer needs.
What will happen to the wool already ordered from Ovis 21?
Patagonia still plans to sell products made from Ovis 21 - already purchased, "but will not purchase wool again until it can establish a verifiable process that ensures the humane treatment of animals."
Italy's Myak is a producer of luxury wool fabrics whose baby yak and Tibetan cashmere has been gathered with no harm to the host animal. To protect animal wellbeing, Andrea Dominici – one of Myak's co-founders (who is also an extremely experience veterinarian) – frequently travels to source the fibers himself.
“Baby yaks shed naturally every year and we have taught the nomads how to gently combs the undercoat of each animal. The herds roam freely on the summer pasture of the Tibetan Plateau, gazing on pristine grassland,” explains Myak co-founder, Paola Vanza.