Australians launch campaign against wool cruelty bans

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australian fashion and farming figures Tuesday hit back at animal rights activists' claims that wool production was cruel to sheep, saying bans on wool exports were misguided and hurting farmers.

The US-based group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has campaigned for years against mulesing -- the Australian practice of cutting a slice of flesh from a sheep's rump to prevent the animal dying of flystrike.

PETA's efforts have seen major fashion companies such as Adidas, Hugo Boss, Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria's Secret shun the Australian product and some foreign retailers refuse to sell clothing made with wool from Down Under.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph tabloid has launched a campaign to counteract PETA's claims, telling the...