Online fashion retailer Boohoo.com made a rapid U-turn on its decision to stop selling wool products following major public backlash. Boohoo previously stated it would "not knowingly source wool products" by autumn of this year but it has now rowed back on that commitment.

In a statement, it 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.”

Welfare

When originally announcing the ban, the Manchester-based company cited concerns about sheep welfare at shearing time raised by a Peta video.

In a joint statement, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and British Wool said: “Farmers and contractors in the sheep industry take animal welfare very seriously and any behaviour that is found to fall below that standard is not tolerated.”

Boohoo said it was engaging with Peta and the relevant parties “to discuss options that will balance our customer demand, animal welfare and sustainable future”.