Hamburg, February 28, 2019 – Severe setback for millions of ducks and animal welfare: The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) – the most widespread down seal of quality in the textile industry – is also to certify feathers that come from animals with shortened beaks. According to the international animal protection organization , this not only makes cruelty to animals socially acceptable, but also dupes customers and brands. After all, global fashion giants such as H&M, C&A, Esprit, Levi’s, Jack Wolfskin and The North Face sell down products with RDS certification. Until February 28, 2019, companies and organizations can comment on the planned changes on the RDS website. After that, the final decision is made as to whether beak docking will be part of the seal of approval in the future.
The revision of the RDS is a standard procedure carried out by the standard holder Textile Exchange. However, what is not usual is the influence that the French duck meat industry has on the planned changes. Numerous duck meat producers and stakeholders from France are members of the international working group that is preparing the revision. They are currently campaigning for beak trimming to become part of the seal of approval so that they too can sell their animals’ feathers in a certified manner. “The RDS was originally introduced to protect ducks and geese. The planned changes allow an agonizing intervention – and only out of greed for profit. Beak trimming is an extremely painful procedure because beaks are as sensitive as human fingertips. We therefore call on brands and the responsible working group to vote against this planned change – in the interests of the animals and not the duck meat industry,» says Nina Jamal, campaign manager in the field of livestock at .
Seal of quality including animal cruelty
RDS has so far been considered one of the most credible down seals of approval. The standard guarantees that the down used was neither obtained by live plucking nor from force-fed animals. However, by certifying feathers that come from animals with shortened beaks, RDS loses credibility. “Should beak docking actually become part of the RDS, we will criticize the seal of approval and not recommend it. It almost contradicts itself. Brands and customers demand RDS-certified products to prevent animal suffering as much as possible. RDS can no longer keep this promise in the future,” says Jamal.
More spout instead of beak docking
Ducks are usually kept in too small a space. This leads to fights among the animals, especially in the case of musk or Muscovy ducks. To minimize the risk of injury, the animals’ beaks are shortened. «It’s time to adapt flawed systems to animals – and not the other way around. Beak docking may reduce injuries, but the core problem remains: the animals suffer from great stress. On the other hand, only sufficient exercise and activity as well as access to water and a low stocking density can help,” says Jamal.
Zero animal suffering: Vegetable and synthetic alternatives
If you want to be sure that there is no animal suffering, recommends not using down at all and buying products with alternative filling materials such as Primaloft®, polyester, lyocell or viscose. Plant-based down alternatives such as kapok, cotton or linen (flax fibers) are also recommended.
You can see how cruel the practice of beak trimming is here.