Target: Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, European Commission
Goal: Investigate ostrich-feather imports linked to reported live-plucking, require transparent sourcing, and restrict products connected to proven animal-welfare abuses.
Undercover footage gathered during an investigation into commercial ostrich farming apparently shows live birds restrained while feathers are forcibly removed. Investigators say workers used heavy pliers to pull feathers or remaining quills from the birds’ skin without anesthesia or pain relief, leaving visible bleeding wounds.
World Animal Protection and Collective Fashion Justice report that the investigated South African feather supply chain serves the international fashion industry. Their investigation alleges that practices described as feather “cutting” may still involve later extraction of remaining feather shafts with pliers. The organizations also report that ostriches were restrained during harvesting, including by covering their heads. No farm or fashion company has been found criminally liable based on the information supplied.
European regulators should determine whether imported decorative feathers are connected to practices that fail applicable welfare, sourcing, or consumer-transparency standards. Require meaningful supply-chain traceability, independently examine claims surrounding live-plucking, and restrict imports where evidence establishes unacceptable animal-welfare practices.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Várhelyi,
A recent investigation reportedly documented live ostriches being restrained while feathers or remaining quills were forcibly removed with pliers. Investigators say some birds were left with visible bleeding wounds and received no anesthesia or pain management during the process.
The report links the investigated South African feather industry to international fashion supply chains. Those findings warrant rigorous examination of how decorative feathers entering European markets are sourced and whether existing standards adequately protect animals.
Please require stronger traceability for ostrich-feather imports and investigate supply chains connected to reported live-plucking. Where evidence establishes serious animal-welfare violations, use the available regulatory tools to restrict affected products and strengthen sourcing requirements. Consumers should not unknowingly purchase luxury goods connected to proven suffering.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: DickDaniels
