Animal protection charity Four Paws has commended Country Road Group's and David Jones' committments to phase out mulesed sheep wool.
Four Paws has been consulting with major brands and wool producers to educate and promote the alternatives to mulesing which many wool producers are already using.
Created in the 1920s, mulesing is the process of removing folds of skin from the tail area of a sheep, intended to reduce flystrike – a condition where parasitic flies lay eggs on soiled wool or open wounds.
Four Paws head of programs Jessica Medcalf said that the process is harmful to sheep.
"Mulesing causes millions of lambs to suffer fear, stress and acute pain every year in Australia. This acute pain can last up to three days and leaves a wound which can take weeks to heal."
Four Paws is also encouraging consumers to sign a petition to call on brands to phase out mulesed wool.
Medcalf said that the moves by Country Road Group and David Jones set a good example for other brands to follow.
"Well done to the team at Country Road Group and David Jones for making a solid plan to achieve higher levels of sheep welfare within their supply chains.
"Country Road’s commitment and plan to phase out mulesed wool is a progressive step forward for animals, and greater transparency for shoppers.
"Although many brands are against mulesing, many more continue to use mulesed wool with no end in sight.
"It’s time for other brands to follow the example of Country Road Group and David Jones, and make a commitment to phase out mulesed wool.
"There is a long-term solution to flystrike and that’s good genetics. It's unethical to continue breeding sheep who are prone to flystrike when you can breed them to be resistant.
"Put simply, lambs should not be mutilated to suit an unsuitable environment," she said.
Medcalf said that the fashion industry has the power to ramp up the transition away from mulesed wool.
"It has become apparent that with viable flystrike management alternatives available and in use already, mulesing has no place in a modern fashion industry, let alone a compassionate society.
"Farmers across the country have told us that they can transition away from mulesing within three-five years. There is no excuse for mulesing to continue long-term.
"Progress to transition away from mulesing by the Australian wool industry continues to increase, but at a shockingly slow rate – brands have the power to change that," she said.