The Australian wool industry recently said that it had dropped court action against an animal rights group after it agreed to end its campaign to
boycott retailers selling Australian wool.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (peta) has long waged a war against the practice of sheep mulesing,
by which folds of skin are removed to prevent flystrike. peta and the Australian Wool Innovation (awi) agreed that peta will stop targeting individual retailers until 2010, when the practice of
mulesing will be phased out. "This gives us the ability to develop alternatives without having to worry about maniacs throwing red paint all over retail
stores," said Ian McLachlan, chairperson of awi.
However, peta founder Ingrid Newkirk says while the organisation will not call for a boycott of specific retailers, it will
still urge people not to buy Australian wool. "The boycott of Australian wool is on," she said.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.