Inside Outdoor Winter 2015

ew insulating materials work as well at

keeping things warm as down. Whether

used in ski jackets or a comforter, down is

a staple part of both the fashion and home

textile industries. But despite its wide-

spread use and appeal, apparently little

thought was given over the years to the animal wel-

fare issues related to the breeding, down collection or

slaughtering practices involved with producing down.

That has now changed.

Highly publicized investigations conducted by animal

welfare advocates between 2009 and 2012 revealed ques-

tionable harvesting practices throughout the down and

feather supply chain. This includes collecting down from

geese aggressively forced fed to make foie gras; live pluck-

ing of geese; and raising animals in stressful, crowded,

unnatural conditions. In response, brands such as Patago-

nia and The North Face – two brands initially targeted by

animal welfare groups – decided to develop new industry

standards to support transparency in the supply chain.

It’s been no easy task. The process of developing

standards has involved hundreds of hours of work,

a rigorous inventory of existing practices, countless

dollars invested in research, staff, and pilot studies, and

Responsibility standards make down

evenmore comforting

Glenna B.

Musante

Inside

Outdoor

Winter

2015