London, 2 November 2022 – New video footage from global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS reveals brutal scenes of geese being plucked alive on several farms across Poland – a painful and cruel procedure that is forbidden in the UK and across the EU.  

The violent scenes of cruelty shared with and by FOUR PAWS, show that of 35 visited farms across Poland, almost half were reportedly forcibly removing down from live geese.  

The disturbing footage documents geese vocalising and excessively flapping their wings while being plucked alive, indicating severe pain and distress. Some animals can even be seen lying dead. 

Gathering feathers during natural molting cycles is legally permitted, which creates a profitable loophole for geese farmers and fashion brands that may not have committed to standards prohibiting live plucking in their supply chains. Current brands not committed to these standards include Prada, Max Mara and Michael Kors.

In stark contrast to the above fashion brands, others including H&M, Patagonia and The North Face are instead spearheading animal-friendly developments by implementing certain animal welfare standards or switching to animal-free alternatives.  

Despite it being illegal to live pluck birds in the UK, we are still importing millions of pounds worth of feathers every year from these cruel farms, to be sold as duvets or winter coats.  

FOUR PAWS are urging more fashion brands to take similar action and ensure their down supply chain is free from live plucking, and ideally transition to animal-free alternatives. 

Statistics show, that only 5% of globally manufactured down and feathers are sourced responsibly, and with winter fast approaching, many customers around the world will choose down jackets for their daily wardrobe without knowing about the underlying animal welfare problems.