OCTOBER 15, 2025 - BOSTON, MA – Wool is the world’s most used animal fiber in fashion, yet, more than half of that wool still involves the cruel practice of live lamb cutting (LLC). LLC also known as mulesing, involves the cutting off of young lambs’ buttocks skin without adequate pain management. This global issue centers on one country, Australia, the world’s largest exporter of wool and where LLC remains legal.

A new FOUR PAWS’ new report investigates over 100 fashion brands across 11 countries to assess their commitments and transparency around LLC in their wool supply chains. Key findings from FOUR PAWS’ research shows that there is consumer demand and industry momentum behind wool transparency and the phasing out live lamb cutting however, brands are not delivering. 67% of brands fail to clearly disclose how they address LLC in their sourcing policies, product labelling, or both, leaving the public in the dark about animal welfare standards.

Luxury label Michael Kors scored zero points. The brand did not respond to FOUR PAWS’ inquiries, lacks transparency on its wool sourcing, and makes no commitment to certified LLC-free wool (or any other animal welfare standard). FOUR PAWS is mobilizing advocates and fashion lovers worldwide to urge Michael Kors to adopt certified LLC-free wool.

Outdoor leaders Patagonia (USA) and Arc’teryx (Canada) top the list for wool transparency. In recent months, demand for LLC-free wool has skyrocketed. At Nanjing Wool Market Conference in China, Australian exporters, growers and brokers were urged to increase LLC-free production. At France’s International Wool Textile Congress, similar calls echoed for a swift transition from live lamb cutting. Australia’s key industry bodies (ACWEP, NCWSBA and WPA) jointly called for a nationally coordinated strategy to address LLC, though no concrete steps have yet been outlined.

FOUR PAWS’ investigation also shows slow but measurable momentum towards change. 25% of fashion brands have undertaken concrete actions after they were contacted by FOUR PAWS for the compilation of this report. 8 brands including H&M, Jack Wolfskin and Marc O’Polo have strengthened their wool policies by stating their exclusive use of certified LLC-free wool. 13 brands such as Barbour, Coop, Peek & Cloppenburg Düsseldorf published a time bound commitment to do so by 2030. 9 other brands, such as Tom Tailor and BRAX, have improved their product labelling. Of the brands that use only certified LLC-free wool (19%), only half disclose this on their products – highlighting that there is still room for improvement when it comes to consumer transparency.

For this report, FOUR PAWS carried out in-store investigations of 102 fashion brands across Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK and the US, as well as desktop research to: evaluate their policy on excluding live lamb cut wool; build a stronger understanding of brand behavior regarding LLC disclosure; and determine whether brands are helping consumers avoid wool from sheep subjected to LLC. This report focuses specifically on LLC and does not assess broader animal welfare practices. FOUR PAWS reviewed brands’ wool sourcing policies, online product descriptions and in-store on-product labelling to determine levels of transparency and action on this issue.

Live lamb cutting (LLC) is a result of poor breeding practices that have left Merino sheep in Australia highly vulnerable to a condition called flystrike. Despite viable alternatives, lambs as young as two weeks are torn from their mothers and restrained in metal cradles, unable to escape what comes next. Using sharp shears, similar to garden shears, a palm-sized section of skin from around the lamb’s tail and genitals is cut off — all without adequate pain relief. Severe pain lasts for days, the wounds take weeks to heal, the scars remain a lifetime.

FOUR PAWS urges fashion brands like Michael Kors, to switch to LLC-free wool and clear labeling and calls on the Australian governments to finally ban this practice once and for all.

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