Online fashion giant ‘flips’ on anti-wool stance
Manchester online fashion chain Boohoo appears to have made a swift U-turn following reports it had banned products using wool.
Late on Friday it released a statement saying: “The Boohoo Group is pleased to confirm that it has committed to omit wool from its product range effective from the Autumn season onwards.”
The decision is believed to have been influenced by a campaign by animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
The organisation had released footage of alleged abuse at sheep shearing sheds around the world which it said showed “systematic” and “horrific” maltreatment of sheep.
PETA praised Boohoo’s stance, with its director of corporate projects, Yvonne Taylor, describing the clothing group’s decision as “compassionate” and “business-savvy”.
She added: “Kind shoppers agree that no jumper or scarf is worth kicking, punching, and killing gentle sheep on the shearing floor, and we’re urging other retailers to follow Boohoo’s forward-thinking example.”
In response, Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association said: “Wool is one of the most sustainable fibres on earth.
“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.”
Now, Boohoo, founded in 2006 by Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane, has apparently backtracked after announcing that it will continue to use wool in its products.
A new statement said: “Boohoo continues to assess all options as part of its ongoing commitment to a more sustainable future.
“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.”
The business said it is continuing to work with PETA “to discuss options that will balance our customer demand, animal welfare and sustainable future”.
