Below is a statement from Kering
Dear Tisha,
Many thanks for your email and for reaching out to us. At this point, we are not available for any interviews.
However, we wanted to ensure we gave you some background for so that you can clearly understand our deep commitment to sustainable sourcing and also offer you some information including some feedback we gathered from a senior representative of CITES with whom we work with closely on the specific items you have mentioned in your first email.
In regards to our commitment, Kering follows CITES procedures throughout our supply chain and we are fully committed to legal and sustainable trade. For example in regards to python sourcing, we are working closely with experts in CITES, IUCN, ITC and the Range States themselves (Indonesia and Vietnam) to support improvements in traceability and sustainability in the trade of python skins. We have been public and transparent about our commitment and through the creation of the Python Conservation Partnership (PCP) with IUCN and ITC we have already delivered results and recommendations on how to improve the trade. We will continue to work through the PCP to support ways on making the trade in precious skins something that delivers positive benefits all along the supply chain. We are also exploring this model of collaboration with external experts to support sustainable trade in other species.
The reason that CITES exists is to ensure sustainable, legal and traceable trade in biodiversity. The management by CITES and oversight by biodiversity means that the legal trade in skins such as those that you mention below delivers significant benefits to source countries and local communities.
CITES procedures are in place to ensure that species in trade are well managed and monitored. External experts from CITES and NGOs have confirmed that none of the species that you mention below are at particular risk of extinction and are listed on CITES because trade in them can be sustainable.
They have also highlighted that, relative the total amount (and value) of articles in trade the numbers (and value) of seizures is small and are most probably a reflection of mistakes on certificates. The seizures you mention do not seem to be an indication of a large scale, and with correct paperwork, none of the items quoted would have been confiscated. Kering is deeply committed to sustainable sourcing and we are always looking for ways to improve the administrative process to minimize any technical errors in the future.
Best regards,
Kering Press Department
