From Care2

• Target: European Fashion and Leather Manufacturers
• Sponsored by: Chris Wolverton

Growing demand for python skin handbags and other fashion items is fueling illegal imports, especially from Southeast Asia. A new report by the International Trade Center (ITC) reveals that python trade is worth $1 billion per year.

According to Tomas Waller of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), “it would appear a substantial portion of skins in trade are sourced illegally from wild animals, beyond agreed quotas and using false permits to launder the skins.” Oliver Caillabet, co-author of the ITC report, highlights cruel methods of killing snakes for trade, such as inflating the animals with air compressors.

The problem of illegal trade may threaten species’ survival, and is compounded by poor enforcement of existing laws. Authors of the study state that trade bans are ineffective and unfair, and instead recommends that the fashion industry implement a tracing system to demonstrate to customers that their skins are legal and sustainable. Please sign the petition to support a tracing system and stop the cruel and illegal python skin trade!

To sign the petition go to:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/303/347/677/stop-the-illegal-python-skin-trade/?z00m=20467993

To download the ITC report “the Trade in Southeast Asian Python Skins” go to:

http://www.intracen.org/The-Trade-in-South-East-Asian-Python-Skin/