Clarks Rejects India Leather

Clark's, a leading British shoe company, may stop buying leather from India after coming under pressure from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal rights group.

"We don't want to have our business policies dictated by pressure groups. But they have brought something to our attention that we weren't aware of," says Clark's spokesman Hugh Croad.

Clark's has called in its sourcing managers from around the world and is conducting an in-house review after Peta intensified its campaign against Indian leather.

The British shoe company buys about 10 per cent of its imported products from India.

"India has been seen as a good and growing source. The best outcome would be that these problems are sorted out. That would be better than being forced to look elsewhere," says the company's spokesman.

 

The animal rights group has targeted Clark's and Hush Puppies in Britain.

Gap, one of the world's leading clothing chains, has already stopped buying leather from India after it was targeted by Peta demonstrators. "Gap's subsidiaries Banana Republic and Old Navy have also banned Indian leather. The decision was taken about three weeks ago," says a company spokesman.