China's Angora Fur Trade Horror: Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger Join Ban

Major brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger have joined a growing number of high street stores to ban the sale of angora wool products after controversial footage emerged of the cruel treatment of angora rabbits who are skinned alive for their fur.

PVH, the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, removed the product from its shelves after discussions with leading animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).

An undercover Peta investigation in China revealed the horrifying treatment angora rabbits were put through by manufacturers to harvest the angora fur sold on to flagship brands.

Up to 50 million rabbits are kept in Chinese farms to supply the fashion industry and produces 90% of all angora fur in the world.

"By pulling all angora products from its international websites and shelves, PVH has done the right thing for animals and consumers," said Peta's executive vice-president Tracy Reiman.

"Angora production is cruel and Peta urges all retailers to follow PVH's example and show that cruelty to animals has no place in their stores," she continued.

Footage from the investigations resulted in a number of major global brands including Topshop, Marks and Spencer, H&M, Primark and Next refusing to stock fresh angora products.

They had not committed to banning the fur completely from their stores and were continuing to sell remaining angora stock.

Esprit, Oasis, Warehouse, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, New Look, Wallis, Evans and Marco Polo have removed all stock from their shelves.