The Textile Exchange has announced the release of a new Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS), which is based on and closely aligned with the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), announced in 2016 and recently underwent its first revision. Both standards are structured around the Textile Exchange Animal Welfare Framework, which sets out the principles and expectations that guide and connect the Textile Exchange’s animal welfare standards.
The newly released Responsible Mohair Standard verifies and identifies mohair produced in farming systems that respects animal welfare and the environment. The RMS applies a strong assurance system to perform regular audits of the farms and to track the material to the final product. The RMS is designed to ensure that animal welfare outcomes are delivered, and that the goats are humanely treated, healthy and well cared for.
“The RMS helps everyone to identify room for improvement on their farms and in their business. It also helps to provide farmers some peace of mind as to where they are up to standard, and even reassures them of areas where they excel. The idea that everyone’s facilities and practices need to adhere to a minimum standard is an outstanding idea,” said Marx Strydom, Mohair producer from the Jansenville region of South Africa.
The Responsible Mohair Standard was based on, and is closely aligned with, the Responsible Wool Standard and the two standards are combined for the supply chain. Both the RMS and the RWS are structured around the Textile Exchange Animal Welfare Framework, which sets out the principles and expectations that guide and connect Textile Exchange’s animal welfare standards.
The Responsible Wool Standard has seen strong adoption across the supply chain with certified farms in all key wool producing countries. The revision covers updates and clarifications to the animal welfare and land management modules, including the introduction of additional requirements and guidance / around biodiversity. It also introduces a set of social welfare requirements.
Giovanni Schneider, CEO of The Schneider Group, said, “We believe the Responsible Wool Standard is addressing a specific market need. It is our task, as a trusted partner between producers and consumers all over the world, to convey this message to all our precious suppliers.”
Most wool sheep and angora goats around the world are raised in extensive grazing systems. These farming systems have a high welfare potential as they are systems that can meet the welfare needs of the animals.
Pedro Otegui, Director of Uruguay-based wool combing mill Lanas Trinidad, said, “Lanas Trinidad receives great pleasure in this new RWS Standard release. We think the world and its people need to keep going in this direction of having proper working conditions, being committed to animal welfare and responsible land management, ensuring good stewardship of the environment and generation of energy with renewable resources. We must deliver to future generations a better environment than the one we inherited!”
