What is Textile Exchange’s stance on fur?

While Textile Exchange works with multiple companies and organizations across the textile supply chain, we do not support the use of real fur due to the significant animal welfare concerns with its production. The fur sector also does not currently contribute to Textile Exchange’s Climate+ targets and does not fit into the Preferred Fibers and Materials Matrix, as it delivers none of the key outcomes assessed.  

 Practices within fur farming systems, which account for the vast majority of production from this industry, present serious welfare risks to animals that cannot be mitigated by regulation or voluntary protocols.   

 Fur from wild-caught animals comes with different concerns. While Textile Exchange accepts that some wild-caught fur could lead to positive outcomes for Indigenous communities, the lack of regulation, the unacceptable level of animal suffering caused by traps, and the risks to threatened species cannot be ignored.  

 Textile Exchange does not consider that shearling (sheepskin with wool attached) or cattle hides with hair attached come under the definition of fur. The skin or hide in this case comes from an animal that has been primarily raised for meat, and the skin or hide is a co-product. This aligns with the definition of most animal welfare groups.   

We are happy to provide more information about our stance on fur on request.