Industry criticizes agreement to end PETA's anti-mulesing campaign
12 Aug '05
3 min read
The agreement signed between the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Australian Woolgrowers Association (AWGA) to bring an end to PETA's anti-mulesing campaign has been universally criticised by industry groups.
WoolProducers President Robert Pietsch said the move represented “a PETA back down”.
“I am heartened by today's news,” he said. “It clearly demonstrates that PETA's campaign has not been as successful as it had intended.”
“PETA has today acknowledged that it is not in the best interests of Australian sheep to end mulesing without a viable alternative, a fact that industry has been telling them all along. PETA has acknowledged that 2010 is an appropriate deadline to cease mulesing,” said Robert Pietsch.
Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock President, Ailsa Fox, said the agreement would put Australian animal welfare standards in jeopardy.
“These standards are among the highest in the world. The industry is investing millions of dollars in the development of a mulesing alternative. Agreeing to the PETA/AWGA terms would put the welfare of our sheep at risk.”
WAFarmers Wool Section President, Max Watts, said the united support of the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce had been critical to the success of the campaign so far.
“This agreement sabotages the successful work the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce has been progressing within the related industries,” said Mr Watts.
marketing@alchempro.com
