One of the world’s largest clothes retailers, Gap, has decided to stop using leather made from cows in India after protests from an animal welfare group.
The San Francisco-based company’s decision comes after protests by members of the US-based People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) outside a number of Gap stores.
‘Given the time and resources, we thought that the most prudent course of action would be to amend our sourcing practices’, said Kellie Leonard, Gap’s director of corporate communications.
The ban covers all Gap stores and their subsidiaries worldwide, which include Banana Republic and Old Navy.
Gap has also agreed to stop selling leather from China. The two countries have accounted for slightly less than ten per cent of leather goods bought by Gap.
Leonard added that if the company decided to source leather from India or China at a future date, it would develop ‘clear standards’ for doing so.
PETA claims some illegal skin traders in India produce leather under unacceptable conditions. India has the strictest laws protecting cows in the world.