London – Outdoor apparel
label Patagonia has decided to cut all ties with their wool supplier Ovis
21 a few days after animal rights organization PETA first brought to light
occurring on sheep
farms in Argentina, which are part of the suppliers’ ‘sustainable’ farm
network.

In an open letter written by the brand’s chief executive officer, Rose
Marcario, and post on Patagonia’s blog The Cleanest Line, the company
outlines its decision why they will no longer buy wool from Ovis 21:
“We’ve spent the past several days looking deep into our wool supply chain,
shocked by the disturbing footage of animal cruelty that came to light last
week. 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. The most
shocking portion of PETA’s video shows the killing of animals for human
consumption.”

Patagonia halts wool sourcing after undercover footage depicts extreme
animal cruelty at sheep farms in Argentina

“Like those in the Ovis 21 network, most commercial-scale ranches that
produce wool from sheep also produce meat. 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 slaughter. We took some important steps to
protect animals in partnering with Ovis 21, but we failed to implement a
comprehensive process to assure animal welfare, and we are dismayed to
witness such horrifying mistreatment.”

“In light of this, we’ve made a frank and open-eyed assessment of the Ovis
program. Our conclusion: 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. This is a difficult
decision, but it’s the right thing to do…Patagonia will not buy wool
again until we can assure our customers of a verifiable process that
ensures the humane treatment of animals.” Marcario stresses that the
outdoor apparel company will continue to push for the best possible animal
welfare standards in the future in as part of the global , which ironically
includes Ovis 21 as part of its international working group, and will
continue to use wool in future collections.

Patagonia accepts responsibility for animal cruelty occuring at wool supplier farm

Patagonia remains adamant that they will rebuild their wool program with a
new supplier, one who will ensure humane treatment of the sheep whilst also
taking care of the environment the animals live in. “We reject the notion
that cruelty is essential to wool production, despite what PETA claims,”
continues Marcario. “Patagonia will continue to make products from wool
because of its unique performance attributes.” She added that the company
will continue made from the wool they have
already purchased, a decision which is in stark contrast to their firm
decision to cut ties with Ovis 21.

Nevertheless, PETA has stepped forward and applauded Patagonia for its
decision to break away from Ovis 21. “Under pressure from consumers who
have pledged to bury, burn, return and give away anything they have with
the Patagonia brand, and never buy again, Patagonia has gone beyond
apologizing, and now says it will not buy more wool until it can extract
certain assurances from its supplier,” commented PETA Director Mimi
Bekhechi to FashionUnited. “Following PETA’s exposé, Patagonia announced
that it was dropping Ovis 21 as a supplier and would not buy wool again
until the company could be assured of ‘the humane treatment of animals.'”

PETA ‘praises’ Patagonia’s decision

“PETA praises the new move, as ‘all steps are good steps,’ but cautions
that as Patagonia delves deeper into the wool supply chain, it will find
that cruelty will always be a part of wool production as we have seen in If the
company is honest, we doubt it could return to buying real wool again.”
Patagonia’s decision to end its contract with Ovis 21 comes not long after
British designer Stella McCartney publicly announced the termination of her
contract with the farm company in Patagonia, Argentina following the
results of her own investigation. “Unfortunately, after conducting our own
investigation in Argentina, following a very distressful viewing of footage
provided by the great guys at PETA, we found out that 1 of the 26 ranches
we used source sustainable wool there, mistreated its sheep. It is one too
many,” wrote the designer on Instagram.

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As a designer who built a brand on not
using leather, fur or animal skins in its designs, I can’t tolerate
it! I am devastated by the news but more determined than ever to fight
for animal rights in fashion together and monitor even more closely all
suppliers involved in this industry to end all innocent lives. We are also
looking into vegan ‘wool’ as well, in the same manner we were able
to develop and incorporate high-end alternatives to leather and fur over
the years. @officialpeta @patagonia #patagoniawool

A photo posted by Stella McCartney (@stellamccartney)
on Aug 13, 2015 at
4:57pm PDT

In light of the situation, Ovis 21 has posted a short statement on its
website. “With regards to the video footage taken in december 2014 in one
of the farms in the Ovis 21 network, the images depicting inhumane
treatment of lambs and sheep are unacceptable. Ovis 21 does not justify
cruelty. We have identified and intervened the property involved, which is
now no longer a certified property. We regret not being informed when the
footage was taken, to take immediate action.”

PETA has acknowleged to FashionUnited that they deliberately decided not to contact Ovis 21 in regards to
their undercover investigation. “PETA US’ videotaped evidence shows some of the extreme cruelty observed on
not one but two Ovis 21 ranches,” explained Bekheci. “In addition to having to answer to angry customers,
Ovis 21 now faces a complaint that PETA US has filed, backed up by evidence, with Argentinean authorities
concerning conduct that it believes violates Argentina’s federal animal-protection law.”

“Time and again, PETA has seen companies accept false assurances, conduct scheduled “investigations” of farms,
work out agreements with suppliers, adopt policies that are seldom adhered to and even conduct audits – but none of
these measures has been able to guarantee humane treatment for animals who are regarded as commodities, rather than as
individuals who experience fear and pain and sometimes do not survive abuse. Suppliers often intentionally mislead their
customers, telling them what they want to hear in order to secure the next order, or they simply don’t “see” the cruelty
because it is inherent in the industry. Policies that prohibit cruelty to animals go unenforced because farmers use
the cheapest and quickest methods, which inevitably injure animals.”

“This is why PETA affiliates must conduct undercover investigations. Often, that’s the only way to
determine what’s really being done to animals.”