Boohoo has revealed it will continue to sell wool products after announcing it would ban the sale of garments containing the material as of autumn 2019.
The online retailer was criticised for its plans by wool producers, with one sheep farmer telling Sky News he was "absolutely disgusted" by news of the ban.
Within hours of making the announcement, which was applauded by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Boohoo issued a statement explaining that it had decided to revert the ban.
"Boohoo continues to assess all options as part of its ongoing commitment to a more sustainable future," it read.
"We are committed to ensuring the wool used in our supply chain comes from good husbandry and meets high levels of animal welfare, and will continue to use wool as a sustainable material."
PETA has been actively campaigning for retailers to take a stance against the wool industry since 2014.
The Virginia-based organisation has released 11 exposés on the subject, which claim that sheep are abused for their wool.
PETA also claims that the wool industry “wreaks havoc” on the environment.
But according to Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, it's very rare for professional shearers to treat sheep in a cruel manner.
He's also argued that opting for alternative materials such as nylon and polyester over wool can have a more damaging effect on the environment.
“Wool is one of the most sustainable fibres on Earth,” Stocker told The Times.
“It would be absurd to replace wool, a natural material, with plastic fibres which do not degrade, are made from fossil fuel and may end up polluting the ocean.”
