Horrifying undercover footage shows how geese are beheaded with dull axes so their fur can be used in the fashion industry.

An undercover animal rights activist exposed a goose farm's alleged cruel killing methods in Russia.

Video shows workers in Novosibirsk beheading geese using dull axes so their down feathers can be supplied to firms making clothes.

The worker leaked the explicit video taken at the unidentified facility through the American nonprofit charity PETA or the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA claimed that the farm was just one of the many that continue to export fur to the U.S., calling the global Responsible Down Standard (RDS) issuing ‘bogus' certifications.

A spokesman said: ‘Russian farms profit from these exports and the bogus certification by the Responsible Down Standard.'

The RDS, used widely by major fashion brands, requires farms to stun the waterfowl first and kill them before they can regain consciousness.

However, PETA claimed that the said farm could obtain its RDS certification despite failing to follow the guidelines.

A representative from PETA said: ‘Geese were fully conscious when they were suspended and restrained by the wings and mutilated with several blows to the neck from an dull axe. The footage reveals birds continuing to move their legs and wings for over five minutes after beheading.

‘There is no guarantee that the feathers inside jackets and other down products sold in the U.S. didn't come from Russian farms directly or through other countries.'

A Russian RDS-certified down broker representative took PETA Asia's investigators to the site where the footage was taken for a probe, explaining that farms are audited by region and not individually.


However, the organisation said they are now calling on U.S. Secretary Janet Yellen ‘to protect American consumers from being misled and gentle geese from such cruelty by blocking these vile imports.'

Down feathers, or the soft layer closest to a duck or goose's skin, are highly valued as they can be turned into warm clothing and comforters because they do not have quills.