PETA and Aussie Wool Growers Come to Terms
The Australian Wool Growers Association (AWGA) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have reached a temporary accord that, if ratified, would eventually bring an end to the practice of “mulesing,” the process that involves shaving a layer of skin off the backsides of merino sheep to prevent insect infestation.
PETA has argued that mulesing is painful for the sheep and has been lobbying for boycotts of clothing containing Australian merino wool. As part of the agreement, the organization has lifted the boycott for a 45-day period. The agreement still needs to be ratified by the AWGA.
At least one other agency that represents the Australian wool industry, WoolProducers, does not support the agreement.
Both PETA and the Australian wool industry have launched aggressive campaigns aimed at the apparel industry. Aussie wool growers supply about 65 percent of the world’s high-grade wool. Wool producers argued that without mulesing, more than 3 million sheep would die a painful death each year because of damage caused by a blowfly known as Lucilia cuprina, which targets the exposed skin of a sheep’s rear end.
The agreement between PETA and the AWGA calls for phased reduction of mulesing through 2010. The plan would reduce mulesing by 10 percent in 2005 and by 20 percent to 25 percent through 2009. A total phase-out would occur in 2010. The accord also would require growers to immediately use analgesics on sheep during the mulesing process. In addition, growers would be required to submit to periodic audits of their practices.
At the retail level, all clothing containing merino wool from Australia would carry labels informing consumers that the wool is from sheep that have not been harmed.
If the agreement is not ratified, the AWGA said it will still gradually phase-out the export of live sheep to countries that do not institute humane standards during the transport of livestock.
After the agreement was announced, the larger WoolProducers group attacked the PETA accord.
“This is a PETA back down. ... It clearly demonstrates that PETA’s campaign has not been as successful as it had intended and that the radical group is looking to salvage some level of credibility,” said Robert Pietsch, president of WoolProducers. Pietsch said the issue of reducing live sheep exports is “not negotiable.”
PETA spokesperson Paula Hough said the organization was disappointed in Pietsch’s “knee-jerk” response. “We think the AWGA has a better hand on the pulse of what’s going on,” she said. —Robert McAllister
