US apparel giant VF Corp has furthered its commitment to ensuring and communicating that its products are free of animal fur through a partnership with the Fur Free Retailer programme.
Partnering with the Fur Free Alliance, an international coalition of 43 animal protection organisations, the owner of brands such as Timberland and The North Face has joined a number of apparel and footwear retailers in adding its name to the Fur Free Retailer List. Published online, it provides consumers with accurate information about its fur policy, allowing them to make informed purchasing decisions.
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The move follows the release of VF’s Animal Derived Materials Policy earlier this year, which meant its brands would no longer use fur, angora or exotic leather in their products.
VF Corp bans fur and angora under new materials policy
“In joining the Fur Free Retailer programme, VF and our brands are once again proving that we’re serious about animal welfare,” says Letitia Webster, vice president of global corporate sustainability at VF. “Sustainability and respect for nature are fundamental values for VF and all our brands, and we will continue to partner with respected animal-rights organisations and like-minded companies to promote the development of viable commercial substitutes to animal materials.”
Of the animal protection organisations that comprise the Fur Free Alliance and support the Fur Free Retailer programme, VF says it has worked with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Italian animal rights organisation LAV, and Four Paws to shape its global animal welfare policies and strategies.
“In the fur trade animals are subjected to terrible conditions, living out their lives in small barren cages. With the help of forward thinking and innovative companies such as VF Corporation this is quickly changing, making fur free the new norm in the entire fashion industry,” adds Joh Vinding, chairman of Fur Free Alliance.
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By GlobalDataAmongst VF’s brands, Napapijri first delivered on its no fur commitment in 2015. The brand has taken innovative approaches to phase out animal derived materials and its entire autumn/winter 2017 collection is 100% down and fur free.
