Global sportswear firm Nike today said all its products will be completely free from rare animal skins by the end of this year.

"Nike Inc has been in the process of phasing out exotic skins from use in its products for more than two years...By the end of the year we anticipate that no Nike product will use exotic skins," Nike said in an e-mail response.

The US-based firm said it has communicated to all its suppliers about its policy to prohibit use of exotic skins.

Nike's statement came in response to a claim by the US arm of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that the company has assured implementation of an animal welfare policy that bans exotic skins.

"Nike, the world's leading shoe manufacturer, is the first major shoe company to give PETA US its assurance that it is implementing an animal welfare policy that bans exotic skins," a release issued by the NGO said.

Nike had previously sold limited-edition athletic shoes made from crocodile and python skins, and its affiliate Cole Haan had sold numerous items— including wallets, handbags, shoes and belts made from crocodile, alligator, lizard, ostrich, and python skins.

"We're asking retailers worldwide to follow Cole Haan's lead and step away from cruelty to animals by giving exotic leather the boot," PETA US Executive Vice-President Tracy Reiman said in the release.