As the foremost international organization of cashmere processors, the Cashmere & Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute would like to clarify that the mission of the Institute is to promote the use of genuine cashmere and camel hair products and to protect the interests of manufacturers, retailers and consumers of these products.

 The term, "Pashmina" and "Cashmere" are synonymous for soft, fine, high-quality fiber. The ancient name of the precious shawls still made by hand in the Central Asian regions is called "Pashmina." "Cashmere" is the internationally accepted term for the fiber content designation on labeling cashmere products and goods. Pashmina is accepted as a marketing term but is not recognized as a fiber designation under the Wool Products Labeling Act of the Federal Trade Commission. (Please see our web site for further details on the cashmere goat, Wool Products Labeling Act and the Federal Trade Commission or contact CCMI).

 Cashmere fibers are removed from live goats—the animals are not harmed nor are they slaughtered. The herders live in communion with their goats; although it is a difficult life for the herders and goats living in the frigid Mongolian winter months, the lives of the herders and animals are respected. "Shatoosh" is not cashmere or pashmina.

 The term, "Shatoosh" describes the fine hair from the Tibetan antelope or chiru, which is being slaughtered for this hair and is traded illegally under Chinese and international law.

 It is illegal to import or trade Shatoosh in the United States. Retailers and testing laboratories worldwide are encouraged to contact their countries customs department should they come across shatoosh products.

For Further information about shatoosh you are advised to contact the Tibetan Plateau Project, www.earthisland.org/tpp
.