Vegetarian Star

Several high profile retailers, including The Gap, Macy’s and Liz Claiborne Inc., are urging Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), which represents Australian wool producers, to phase out the practice of mulesing. Mulesing involves cutting a part of the lamb’s rear out in order to prevent maggots eating the animal’s flesh. Animal activists say this is usually done without anesthesia.

AWI had originally promised to stop the practice of mulesing by 2013, but is now shying away from this promise, something that has angered American wool buyers.

“As the face of Australian wool around the world … AWI’s withdrawal now calls into question whether the industry is capable of providing any kind of response and represents, in our view, a considerable setback to any potential progress …” the companies wrote in a letter.

Some animal rights groups, like PETA have called for a solution to the problem by boycotting wool altogether. Others say buying wool from countries that promote wool without mulesing, like New Zealand and South Africa, is another option.

As a long-term solution, scientists have discussed the possibility of breeding sheep that are resistant to flystrike or mapping the genes of the blowfly that lays eggs on the lamb in order to create a vaccine against condition.

It’s also easy to find faux wool and non-wool alternatives to stay warm, such as acrylics.

Photo: Dorsetdude/Creative Commons

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Giorgio Armani Eliminates Fur From Fashion Lines
• SeaWorld Phasing Out Whale Breeding Program
• Pamela Anderson Launches Vegan Shoes