Animal rights activists have increasingly focused attention on the wool industry during recent fashion weeks, highlighting concerns about how sheep are treated in the global textile supply chain. During New York Fashion Week, members of Peta, an animal rights organization, disrupted a Cos fashion show with signs reading "Sheep beaten and bloodied for wool. Don't buy it." Steven Kolb, president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), was seen restraining one of the activists, leading to his temporary removal from the CFDA. Kolb later apologized, taking full responsibility for his actions. A similar protest took place at H&M's fashion show in London, where activists displayed signs reading "H&M: Wool is bloody cruel. Drop it!" In response, H&M stated that animal welfare is a top priority and that the company sources wool through strict third-party standards. Peta has long opposed the use of wool, arguing that sheep are often treated as "wool-producing machines." The group has even proposed renaming the English village of Wool to "Vegan Wool" as part of a 2018 campaign. Peta's current focus on H&M Group, which owns several brands including Cos, Arket, and Monki, comes after an investigation into a South African wool farm allegedly linked to the company's supply chain. Activists captured footage showing workers mistreating sheep, including kicking, stamping, and dragging them, as well as shearing them carelessly. H&M Group said that all virgin wool used in its products comes from farms certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), a third-party certification system. However, the company suspended the operation in question after the investigations. Environmental concerns also play a role in the debate over wool. Activists point out that wool has a high carbon footprint due to methane emissions from sheep. However, wool is often more durable than synthetic alternatives and does not contribute to microplastic pollution. In the UK, wool production benefits from strict welfare standards, including a ban on mulesing—a controversial practice where skin is cut from a sheep’s hindquarters without pain relief to prevent flystrike—and the 2006 Animal Welfare Act, which outlines the "five freedoms" for animal wellbeing. Consumers looking for ethically sourced wool can seek out certifications like the Shepherd's Crook, which guarantees traceable wool from UK farmers, and the Responsible Wool Standard. While Peta has expressed skepticism about these programs, calling them "humane-washing tactics," Textile Exchange, which manages the RWS, insists that humane handling of animals is a fundamental requirement of its certification.