PARIS — Hennes & Mauritz AB said on Wednesday it was halting the production of all angora products, effective immediately, following reports by animal rights campaigners that rabbits are routinely abused in Chinese angora farms.
“H&M will immediately stop the production of all angora products until we have secured that our strict product policy is being followed. H&M doesnʼt accept that animals are treated badly. We only allow products made of angora rabbit hair from farms with good animal husbandry,” the Swedish high street retailer said.
“We regularly audit our suppliersʼ angora farms. Plucking is not acceptable in accordance with our product policy. We will now accelerate further inspections of our sub-suppliers to ensure compliance with our policy,” it added.
Animal rights group PETA last week screened videos showing workers ripping the fur out of rabbits’ skins as the animals cry out in pain. It said China was the source of 90 percent of the world’s angora.
“PETA is appealing to shoppers this holiday season,” said Ashley Byrne, PETA’s skins campaign specialist. “Please take the time to read the label on that sweater or scarf. If it says ‘angora,’ remember the gentle rabbits whose fur was cruelly ripped out of their skin — and leave the item on the rack.”
H&M said concerned customers were welcome to return an angora product bought at H&M and would obtain a full refund.