Stella McCartney ceases to source wool from shamed Argentinian supplier

Ovis 21, an Argentinian wool farm, was internationally shamed last week after PETA released a video showing sheep being mistreated by its workers. Following the release, the British designer Stella McCartney, who used to source wool from this company, announced that her brand will cease to use the fiber from this supplier.

"I am very saddened to report that we have had to cease sourcing some of our sustainable wool from Ovis 21 in Patagonia," wrote the designer on Instagram. "
It was born as an amazing initiative to help protect a million acres of endangered grasslands in Patagonia whilst looking after the welfare of animals. Unfortunately, after conducting our own investigation in Argentina, following a very distressful viewing of footage provided by the great guys at @officialpeta, we found out that 1 of the 26 ranches we used source sustainable wool there, mistreated its sheep. It is one too many".

McCartney, who is known in the fashion industry for producing sustainable garments and alternatives to leather and fur also said: "As a designer who built a brand on not using leather, fur or animal skins in its designs, I can't tolerate it! I am devastated by the news but more determined than ever to fight for animal rights in fashion together and monitor even more closely all suppliers involved in this industry to end all innocent lives. We are also looking into vegan "wool" as well, in the same manner we were able to develop and incorporate high-end alternatives to leather and fur over the years".

The video published by PETA also affected outdoor clothing label Patagonia, which also works with the Argentinian wool supplier. Though the brand revealed an investigation into the practices of Ovis 21, shown in the footage, Patagonia did not say if it would cut ties with the company.