Livestock

Down and Feather Collection Welfare

Down used in duvets, pillows and outdoor gear is often collected by live-plucking, causing acute pain and stress to geese and ducks.

Key Facts

Over 70% of the world's down comes from China, Hungary and Poland
Live plucking of geese for down causes bleeding, feather follicle damage and distress
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Global Traceable Down Standard aim to verify humane sourcing
Down is also a byproduct of the foie gras industry in some markets
Synthetic alternatives including Primaloft and recycled polyester fill now match down performance

Welfare Considerations

Live plucking of down from geese causes significant pain — birds struggle, vocalise and show fear responses during the process. Force-feeding for foie gras production adds additional suffering in cases where down is harvested from foie gras geese. Certification schemes exist but enforcement and traceability remain problematic. High-performance synthetic fills provide a cruelty-free alternative.

What You Can Do

Choose products certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
Consider synthetic fill alternatives for duvets, pillows and outdoor clothing
Ask retailers about their down sourcing policies and demand transparency
Support campaigns for mandatory live-plucking bans in all down-producing countries