No5’s Philip Rule has been instructed on behalf of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) in its ongoing dispute with the Ministry of Defence concerning use of real bearskin for the King’s Guards caps.
The bearskin caps are worn by foot soldiers in the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and Welsh Guards.
PETA is concerned that the MoD has failed to properly consider a synthetic replacement it has developed with faux furrier ECOPPEL.
This synthetic alternative has been assessed by a testing house fabric technologist to meet all the requirements set by the MoD to be considered as a replacement, relating to water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression.
The MoD were sent these results in May 2022 but have refused to evaluate or consider the fur further.
In a Letter Before Action, PETA has urged the MoD to fully evaluate the report and to consider and test the faux bear fur against the relevant criteria.
The national press has been told by an MoD spokesperson said it is reviewing PETAs letter carefully and will respond in due course.
is instructed by Lorna Hackett of Hackett and Dabbs LLP.
Some of the widespread national and local press reporting on the issue is available here:
Some of the widespread national and local press reporting on the issue is available here:
https://uk.style.yahoo.com/peta-threatens-mod-legal-action-125930217.html
