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‘Ridiculous’ ban on exotic animal skins at London fashion week criticised by experts

Trade can help protect species – and real skins are often more sustainable than synthetic alternatives, say conservationists

Conservation experts have criticised a decision by London fashion week to ban exotic animal skins from its 2025 shows as “ridiculous”, warning that it is ill-informed and could harm the protection of many snakes, crocodiles and reptile species. They say a ban would undermine economic incentives for communities to conserve species – warning that claims the decision was made for sustainability reasons were “wrong”. Dr Dilys Roe, chair of IUCN’s sustainable use and livelihoods specialist group, said London fashion week organisers were misguided.

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