My sister phoned me yesterday to tell me about a documentary that was shown on German television illustrating the extremely cruel treatment of geese that are being plucked for their down before they are being slaughtered 6 weeks later. It is horrendous…I had no idea that geese are plucked alive. I always thought of down as a by product of the meat industry (i.e. Christmas goose).
If you are thinking of buying a feather down duvet this Christmas or later on in the January sales – think again. A video illustrating the plight of the geese is now uploaded on You Tube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=llZwycEYjR8.
Warning – you need a strong stomach and no emotions watching this video.
And to the person who argued with me about civet farming the other day – I really don’t think that any type of animal cruelty is justifiable, whether they are wild animals caught for exploitation or domesticated ones reared for meat and – as in this case – down feathers. Whilst I appreciate that impoverished farmers need to make a living, I do not believe that animal cruelty is justifiable, full stop. I agree that people need to make a living but animals can be kept in adequate surroundings and they must be treated with respect. We have no right to mistreat other species for our own benefit. This planet was given to us as a gift. We need to look after it or there will come a day when Gaia will take her revenge (sooner rather than later by the looks of it…and I do hope so, to be honest).
hey, i went out to buy a duck/ghoose duvet today and while i was looking at the duvets it struck me that many animals must die for one tiny duvet. i couldnt go ahead and by it. i have been researching the past hour for information on the ethical treatment of these animals but there is hardly anything. i found your site just now so that indicates my instinct was right.
Cheers.
Selk
Selk