Animal rights group PETA criticises LVMH and Kering

Animal rights group PETA has revealed appalling cases of animal cruelty in the supply chains of LVMH and Kering. An Indonesian supplier of LVMH is specifically targeted.

Video

The Asian branch of the animal rights organisation managed to get footage in two Indonesian slaughterhouses that supply LVMH, FashionUnited writes. The video shows, among other things, how living pythons are handled with hammers. Afterwards, they were hung up and inflated with water using garden hoses to make it easier to remove their skin. Severe mistreatment of lizards was also reported at one of the suppliers of Kering’s Gucci brand.

In 2016, PETA already investigated crocodile and ostrich farms linked to LVMH as suppliers. At the time, the organisation revealed footage of ostriches being “plucked” without anaesthetic, for instance. The animals were also kept in deplorable conditions.

“LVMH and Gucci are on the wrong side of history as long as they sell items made from the skins of tortured exotic animals”, PETA Vice President of International Programmes Mimi Bekhechi said. “PETA is calling on these companies to stop profiting from pythons’ and lizards’ misery and commit to a ban on exotic skins.“

“No proof”

Kering said in a response that it “respects the highest standards of animal welfare, sustainability and labour conditions in its sourcing of precious skins.” According to the luxury house, there is no proof that Kering brands are directly or indirectly linked to the facility shown in the footage.

LVMH did not specifically address the allegations regarding the mishandling of snakes, but stated that “LVMH respects all views and sensitivities on the use of animal-based raw materials, and we support and are actively involved in the sector’s efforts to achieve the best possible practices. Our intention is to provide customers with a product that has been made in the most responsible and ethical manner possible.”