Save Those Lambs’ Backsides!
Last July, we received word that Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) was reneging on its public promise to phase out mulesing by the end of this year. Mulesing is the crude and cruel process of cutting flesh from a lamb’s rump with a tool resembling a pair of gardening shears. Afterwards, the lambs lie on the ground in pain for days, unable to stand up. Had AWI gone to work on a bare-breech (smooth rump) breeding program five years ago instead of shuffling its feet, stalling, suing PETA (to no avail), and trying to promote worthless products for the profit of AWI executives, the Australian wool industry would have met its deadline—but that didn’t happen. Now, PETA is willing to extend our campaign moratorium if the Australian government agrees to implement a genetic program that would eliminate mulesing within two years. It’s time for Aussie officials to stop the mulesing madness.
Thanks to PETA’s education campaign, dozens of retailers and designers worldwide have been so appalled that they have abandoned Australian wool. We’ve asked the office of the U.S. trade representative to make the new timeline a condition of approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which is currently being negotiated with Australia.
Always shun wool and ask Australia’s minister for agriculture, Tony Burke, to act right away.
Written by Jennifer O’Connor
