Animal welfare organisation Four Paws has published a list of over 180 Australian and international fashion brands that are opposed to the mulesing of lambs.
Mulesing is used to prevent flystrike in sheep and involves cutting off flesh from a sheep's backside to stop flies from laying eggs in the folds of its skin.
The practice has been under fire for many years from animal welfare organisations as they argue that there are viable pain-free solutions available to prevent flystrike.
Four Paws' list highlights and celebrates brands that are against the practice and those that have taken steps to phase out mulesed wool from their collections.
Four Paws Australia head of programmes and brand engagement Jessica Medcalf said that the demand for non-mulesed wool is growing.
"Our research demonstrates that there is a huge mass of brands that don’t want wool from mulesed sheep in their supply chains.
"Both the demand for non-mulesed wool and the distinct message that mulesing must end is certainly growing louder.
"Research launched just last month, co-commissioned by Four Paws and Humane Society International, shows that there are viable solutions to flystrike management that don’t include mulesing – rendering the practice of mulesing unnecessary and cruel long-term.
"With demand for ethical fashion on the rise, the Australian wool industry must work together to make a bold and proactive plan to phase out mulesing, both for the animals and to avoid losing further business to other markets," she said.
The organisation's research found that 185 brands now oppose mulesing, 121 of these state they do not currently accept mulesed sheep wool, or wool from Australia, and 68 have stated their use of certification systems, making commitments to help achieve more traceable supply chains.
Australian brands that make an appearance on the list include Bassike, Country Road, David Jones, Forever New, Gorman, Kathmandu, Mimco, Myer, Review, The Iconic, Trenery and Witchery.
Medcalf added that both brands and consumers can influence the wool industry to abandon the practice.
"After decades of outrage over the practice, still only 14% of Australian wool producers declare their wool as non-mulesed.
"Mulesing causes lambs intense pain and suffering for up to three days, leaving a wound that can take many weeks to heal.
"There are better ways to treat flystrike, which don’t cause acute pain, stress and fear, but do provide natural whole-body resistance to flystrike.
"It’s no wonder 150,000 people have now signed our petition calling on brands to help protect lambs from mulesing.
"Brands can help to encourage a greater rate of industry change, by setting time-bound targets to transition their supply chains away from the practice.
"There is no excuse for mulesing, or the sourcing of mulesed sheep wool to continue long-term," she said.
Four Paws has released the list as part of its Wear It Kind campaign which aims to raise animal welfare standards in fashion.