The Japan-based company UNIQLO's decision follows Peta's campaign urging an end to the practice...

Following a campaign by the charity Peta, that has been backed by singer Morrissey, the major retailer has agreed to phase out the practice known as mulesing.

The practice is widely regarded as barbaric and involves chunks of skin and flesh sliced from sheep’s backsides as part of attempts to prevent maggot infestation...

The exercise that continues to be used in Australia, one of the main wool producing nations, has been condemned by singer Morrissey this year.

The animal welfare activist wrote a letter urging fashion business UNIQLO to dump the practice from its supply chain...

UNIQLO, that as part of Fast Retailing is one of the world's biggest clothes retailers has now announced it will begin phasing out the purchase of merino wool from Australian suppliers, who use the practice, with immediate effect...

The mulesing procedure is practiced on lambs.

The company said that it had taken the decision on animal welfare and health grounds...

UNIQLO Group Senior Vice President Yukihiro Nitta in a letter to PETA explained: "...we have directed our merino wool suppliers to phase out sourcing wool from farms that practice mulesing..."

Animal welfare supporters say the practice leaves sheep in agony, unable to walk properly and is not even effective in terms of prevention of the maggot infestations.

PETA supporters had also been protesting on London's Oxford Street in order to encourage fashion retailer UNIQLO to take a stance against the use of Australian wool from mulesed sheep.

Dozens of other big companies including Topshop, H&M, Next, C&A, Abercrombie & Fitch, Timberland, etc have already pledged to stop using wool from mulesed sheep.

Peta believes its campaign that is gaining worldwide support against proponents of the practice in the Australian wool industry is now unstoppable...