11th October 2011
CAPE COBRA LEATHERCRAFT APPLAUDES CARTE BLANCHE INVESTIGATIONS INTO SKIN TRADE MALPRACTICE
DIRECTORS OF CAPE COBRA LEATHERCRAFT RESPOND TO A GRUESOME BUT ACCURATE DEPECITION OF THE SNAKE SKIN TRADE.
As one of the most recognized names in the leather manufacturing trade and South Africa’s largest exporter of exotic leather products, Cape Cobra Leathercraft is responding to Carte Blanche’s recent airing of the malpractices that exist in the skin trade. The story produced by Bernadette Cook and Karl Amman uncovered practices that exist in Indonesia and Vietnam in the snake skin trade.
Robert Schäfer, Managing Director of Cape Cobra applauded the investigation into trade malpractices stating, “It is encouraging to note that there is actively investigation into such malpractices that unfortunately exist within this trade. These types of investigations are needed to clean up the industry, to ensure only the ethical and legitimate organizations survive. The consumer has the right to demand that the source of the materials is legit and ethical, and Cape Cobra is proud to be in a position to deliver on such a promise”.
Richard Schäfer, Director of Cape Cobra stated that the obligation is on the company to ensure that their suppliers are practicing in an ethical and legitimate means, “Cape Cobra is fully compliant with CITES and export and import requirements. However, above and beyond the legal obligation that is enforced, those trading in exotic materials are morally and ethically obliged to ascertain the source of their materials”.
Speaking about the relationships that exist between Cape Cobra and their trade partners, Robert Schäfer, MD said, “As both a design house and a manufacturer, Cape Cobra has that close one to one relationship with the suppliers of materials which allows for an intimate understanding of the practices that exist on the farm. Regular visits to the farm are conducted to ensure no animals are taken from the wild, clean and humane living conditions are provided for the farmed animals and pain free practices are exercised”.
Additional notes: -
C A R T E B L A N C H E
The airing of Carte Blanche’s Snake Skin story took place on Sunday 9th October 2011 at 19h00
Transcript Source: http://beta.mnet.co.za/carteblanche/Article.aspx?Id=4440&ShowId=1
C A P E C O B R A L E A T H E R C R A F T
Established in 1972
Three generation family run
South Africa’s largest exporter of exotic leather goods
For more information, contact:
RICHARD SCHÄFER DIRECTOR
ROBERT SCHÄFER MANAGING DIRECTOR
Web: www.capecobra.co.za
Tel: +27 (0) 21 4153440
