Ban on Leather Goods from

India
About The Case
 About The Case

Indian leather export, an important foreign exchange earner for the

country, has been reportedly hit hard by the decision of some major US
retail chains like Eddie Bauer, LL Bean, Timberland & Casual Corner, & a
German company Bader to boycott leather goods from India in protest
against the ill-treatment of animals here. This development has a lot to
do with the lobbying by the US-based animal rights group People for
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Following this, Mumbai-based Teja
Industries , the official supplier of leather goods for the Marks & Spencer
in India, started outsourcing leather from other countries to manufacture
products for the global chain.
Questions
 Questions

1. In the light of the above, discuss the implications of social activist groups for
business.

2. With reference to this case, discuss the failure of the Government, Council for
Leather Exports & the Leather industry & the lessons of this case.

3. What should the Government, Council for Leather Exports & the leather
industry do to overcome the problem?
 In the light of the above, discuss the implications of social activist groups for
business.

Social activism is at the heart of a robust democracy and an integral part

of capitalism. When a business is in the spotlight for any perceived
wrongdoing, citizens can choose to boycott that company’s goods or
services. With enough momentum, a boycott can exert sufficient
pressure to bring about changes in business practices or regulations.
That kind of social activism takes on special significance during an
election year, when politicians are careful to distance themselves from
companies seen as less than honest. As a result, corporations can lose
their political influence.
 With reference to this case, discuss the failure of the Government, Council for
Leather Exports & the Leather industry & the lessons of this case.

Eighty-five percent of the leather industry’s skins come from animals on

leather factory farms. These farms can house thousands of animals, and as
with other factory farms, they are designed to maximize profits—with little
regard for the environment or animals’ well-being.

Each mink skinned by leather farmers produces about 40 pounds of feces in

his or her lifetime. That adds up to millions of pounds of feces produced
annually by U.S. mink farms alone.

In Denmark, where more than 19 million animals are killed for their leather
each year, more than 8,000 pounds of ammonia is released into the
atmosphere annually.
What should the Government, Council for Leather Exports & the leather industry
do to overcome the problem?

There are many plant-based, sustainable, and renewable fabrics available,

including hemp, cotton, bamboo, and linen. Designers such as J.Crew, Gap
Inc., Express, and Ann Taylor do not sell leather items.

There are many alternatives to leather, including polyurethane, Ultrasuede,

pineapple leaves, grape-derived leather, cork, waxes canvas, cotton, linen,
ramie, and other natural and synthetic fibres.

These materials are easy to find, and will keep you warm and cozy without
contributing to cruelty to animals.