Goat cruelty row over Next mohair suit modelled by Gary Lineker
ANIMAL rights group Peta has slated a fashion range by its one-time supporter Gary Lineker for including a mohair suit.
The BBC sports presenter, 62, models a £225 Signature Barberis Italian Mohair slim-fit suit in online adverts.
It forms part of his fashion ‘edit’ for high street clothing chain Next.
But campaigners have claimed it is ‘profiteering’ from mohair, a controversial wool from Angora goats which they say is obtained through ‘cruel and inhumane’ processes.
Many high street stores have banned the yarn, including Marks & Spencer, Zara, H&M and Gap, as the majority of mohair is supplied from contentious sources in South Africa.
Yesterday Yvonne Taylor, Peta’s vice president of corporate projects, said: ‘Most shoppers would be disgusted that mohair jumpers and suits are made from the hair of abused goats who cry out in fear when they are pinned down.
‘Their hair is scraped right out of their bodies with metal rakes, leaving them shaking and covered in bloody wounds.
‘Goats are prey animals and are terrified of being held immobile, vulnerable and defenceless.’
As well as suits, Next sells scarves, throws, cushions and other items made from mohair.
Peta – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – says the company had previously agreed to stop sourcing mohair after accepting that animal abuse was rife in the South African industry.
This followed investigations by Peta to expose conditions, including workers throwing around and mutilating fully conscious goats while harvesting mohair for British brands.
Ms Taylor added: ‘Whenever animals are treated as mere disposable commodities, cruelty is always part of the process.
‘The only next step is for the retailer to do the right thing: Denounce the extreme cruelty it is profiting from, remove mohair from all future collections and expand use of animal-friendly vegan material.’
Lineker’s decision to model mohair for Next comes 14 months after he backed a Peta campaign to ban Royal Guards from wearing their iconic bearskins. Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter on £1.35million a year, said in a tweet that it was ‘mad’ that the cause even needed a petition, adding: ‘Why would you want someone to place a dead bear on their heads?’
He also campaigned against trophy hunting, despite claims a ban will lead to less protection for endangered species.
He was suspended briefly from Match of the Day in March after comparing government asylum policy to the cruelties of Nazi Germany.
Next has claimed it only uses mohair that is certified to the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) in its products.
The RMS is a voluntary standard that requires all farmers and ranchers to meet strict animal welfare, land management and social requirements.
Next said: ‘We only use mohair that is certified to RMS. All non-RMS-certified mohair is banned at Next.’
Mr Lineker was approached for comment.
‘They cry out in fear when pinned down’