Encouraged by the campaigning efforts of animal rights organization PETA, outdoor apparel brand Columbia Sportswear has banned the use of alpaca wool in its future collections. The ban covers Columbia’s entire portfolio, and will compel its group brands PrAna, Mountain Hardwear and Sorel to rethink their approach towards alpaca wool and adopt alternative materials. This will help it to prevent vulnerable alpacas from being abused and shorn bloody for their fleece, says Tracy Reiman, Executive Vice President, PETA.
PETA routinely purchases minimum shares in fashion industry firms as to gain a seat at their annual meetings. The organization is able to influence leading executives to follow the growing list of companies choosing to shun animal-based product of all kinds.
Looking ahead though, PETA is asking kind consumers to do their part to end this cruelty by leaving alpaca items on the rack.
