Sustainability
OUR MOHAIR JOURNEY
The journey and partnerships
Angora goats thrive in the Karoo, with its combination of hot, dry summers, cold winters and semi-desert vegetation. The merging of best practice farming and a prime environment for Angora goats has set South Africa mohair apart.
With sustainability being of crucial importance to the industry, Mohair South Africa (MSA) has taken its role as a global non-profit organisation committed to the responsible and ethical production of mohair in the country seriously.
RMS CERTIFICATION
The Responsible Mohair Standard
The RMS, launched on March 17, 2020, aims to provide the industry with the tools to recognise farmers’ best practices and to ensure that mohair comes from farms with an advanced approach to land management, animal welfare and social responsibility.
Beyond the farm, it also aims to provide a traceability system throughout the entire value chain – from the farm to the finished product. The RMS continues to see widespread adoption among growers, manufacturers and brands alike. It is exciting to see a growing number of manufacturers and brands quickly embracing the RMS and registering with the standard.
Many companies worldwide have been RMS/RWS/RAS-certified post farmgate, including companies throughout the mohair value chain that enable RMS mohair to reach the end consumer.
Adding to the international adoption of the RMS, at a production level Textile Exchange has launched a herding pilot project applicable to some of the international mohair-producing countries.
Producing mohair ethically and sustainably is non-negotiable for the South African mohair industry and the roll-out of the RMS remains a priority.
INNOVATION THROUGH TRACEABILITY
Partnership with Oritain
With its commitment to sustainability and ensuring the highest levels of social and ethical production, as well as traceability, Mohair SA partnered with Oritain, a world leader in using forensic science to verify the origin of products and raw materials.
Oritain uses a combination of forensic science and technology to analyse mohair fibre and to verify its origin. This gives manufacturers, brands and consumers peace of mind of the content in their mohair purchases.
Working together
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The Mohair Empowerment Trust
The Mohair Empowerment Trust is a non-profit organisation established in 2010. The mohair industry saw the need to focus on uplifting and partnering with emerging South African farmers who show potential to succeed in the mohair farming industry.
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The South African Mohair Growers' Association
SAMGA is responsible for promoting the production of mohair, and general farming of Angora Goats, whilst continuously negotiating with government and non-government organizations about issues at producer level.
FROM THE GROUND UP
Regenerative Grazing
Regenerative agriculture has become a topic on everyone’s lips. Many brands and retailers across the globe are looking to source fibres and raw materials from farms that use a progressive approach to holistic farm management practices. Such practices are essential as they help revitalise the soil, capture carbon emissions, and increase carbon food security while storing water.
