H&M does not accept mulesing, the surgical procedure carried out on merino sheep in Australia in order to prevent flystrike. The company has decided to direct its buying towards other countries of origin and other suppliers in Australia that can guarantee mulesing-free merino wool.

H&M has worked for the abolition of mulesing for several years. Since 2005 there has been an agreement between the National Retail Federation (NRF), of which H&M is a member, and the Australian wool industry (Australian Wool Innovation) which means that mulesing will be replaced by more animal-friendly methods by 2010. The decision to concentrate our buying on products that use mulesing-free merino wool was taken because the company feels that the phase-out of the practice is proceeding too slowly.