The Director General of Foreign Trade, which comes under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has banned the import of skins of reptiles, chinchillas, mink and fox through a notification issued on 3 January. Mint has reviewed the notification.

According to NGO Humane Society International (HSI), “Tens of thousands of exotic animals like crocodiles, alligators, fox, minks and others are held captive in factory farms for their fur and skin (across the world).” The NGO also said that the methods used in factory farms across the world are remarkably poor and designed to maximize profits, always at the expense of the animals.

According to HSI, reptiles like crocodiles, alligators and others are crowded in barren concrete pits for months or even years before being skinned alive or slaughtered for their skins which is used for making luxury bags, belts and watchbands, among other things. Similarly, thousands of minks and foxes are kept in filthy and wire-floored cages until they are gassed and finally slaughtered for their fur.

At present , India’s import policy allows import of “raw hides, skins, leather, fur skins” of reptiles, mink, fox and other fur skins (whole, with or without head, tail or paws). But they are subject to India’s Wild Life (Protection) act, 1972 and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). CITES is an international agreement between governments and it aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Animal rights organisations had been urging the central government to take a clear stand on the issue and close the doors for trade in exotic skins. Union women and child development minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi had earlier written a letter to the Union commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighting the need to curb cruelty towards animals by prohibiting the import of exotic skins.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC ) and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), India’s nodal body for animal welfare, also supported the need to bring in the ban.

“We commend the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and MoEFCC for its firm commitment in abolishing the import of exotic skins. The exotic fur, skin and leather industry slaughters, bludgeons and skins millions of animals every year in the name of frivolous fashion. Nations across the world are switching to cruelty-free alternatives and we are glad that India is gradually emulating similar policies to reduce and eliminate unnecessary pain and suffering to animals,” said Gauri Maulekhi, who is HSI India’s government liaison.