Bill Introduced to Expand California Ban on Sale of Exotic Animal Skins
AB 3143 would add specific species of stingrays to a list that already includes big cats, polar bears, dolphins, and other threatened
or endangered species
Sacramento
– As California continues its path as a leader in environmental preservation and animal protection,
Assemblymember Brian Maienschein
(San Diego) and
Social Compassion in Legislation
today announced the introduction of
AB 3143
, a bill intending to ban the sale of the skins of stingrays. In a January 2019 independent poll, 75% of Californians said they would support such a ban, with 83.9% saying their support is strong.
“Californians have shown time and time again that they are in support of legislation that protects animals,” said
Assemblymember Maienschein
. “There is no need for animals to die in the name of fashion. I’m proud to be taking steps to eliminate a market for these unnecessary and destructive products.”
“Californians broadly opposing the cruel practice of using exotic animal skins to make wallets and other fashion accessories,” said
Judie Mancuso, CEO and Founder of Social Compassion in Legislation
. “The legislature’s continued recognition that animals should not be used for fashion should extend to imperiled sea creatures. The assault on our marine life due to global warming, increasingly acidic waters, and overfishing all lead to why we need to protect vulnerable stingrays.”
Major fashion brands often use third party vendors that skin animals alive to make their products. California law already includes sales bans on numerous species, but AB 3143 will bring the list further in line with the will of the people of California. Many companies already have policies in place against the use of exotic animal skins, including Adidas, Adolfo Dominguez, Ann Inc., Arcadia Group (which owns Topshop), ASOS, bebe, Chanel, H&M, Hugo Boss, L Brands (which owns Victoria’s Secret), Mango, Nike, Nine West, Overstock, Puma, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, VF Corporation, among others.
“These animals need their skin and we need them to remain in their ecosystems far more than we need them as belts or wallets,” said
Mancuso
.
