// M&S to remove alpaca wool after Peta released an exposé claiming abusive treatment
// The retailer has become the latest business to eradicate the material
Marks & Spencer has pledged to remove alpaca wool from future product developments after animal rights organisation Peta exposed the treatment of the animals.
The British retailer has become the latest business to eradicate the material from its supply chain, following Gap and H&M Group.
Peta, which is self-proclaimed as the largest animal rights organisation in the world, recently released an exposé claiming abusive treatment of alpacas at Mallkini – a privately-owned alpaca farm in Peru.
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The undercover investigation showed that workers held alpacas by the ears as they were roughly shorn with electric clippers, causing some to vomit.
The shearing had left the animals with deep wounds, which were then sewn up.
M&S said the investigation highlighted “concerns around the welfare of animals that are farmed to produce alpaca wool”.
Peta director of corporate projects Yvonne Taylor said: “Marks & Spencer’s decision will prevent many alpacas from being tormented for their wool.”
She added: “We urge all retailers to protect these vulnerable animals by following the company’s compassionate example and introducing a ban on alpaca fibre.”
Peta claimed that in addition to causing suffering, alpaca wool production has environmental consequences, with the fibre ranking as the second most environmentally damaging material after silk on the Higg Materials Sustainability Index.
Alpaca wool is thought to be six times more harmful than polyester and more than four times as damaging as modal, viscose, rayon, lyocell, acrylic, and other vegan materials.
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