PETA Urges Australian Ag Minister to Phase Out Mulesing Within Two Years

Group Says It Will Extend Campaign Moratorium if Government Commits to Implementation of Genetic Program

For Immediate Release:
April 16, 2010

Contact:
Stephanie Corrigan 757-622-7382 
             
Washington -- PETA is calling on Australian Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke to take action to phase out mulesing, a cruel mutilation performed on lambs by Australian farmers, within two years. After coming under pressure from PETA and international retailers, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) had previously made a trade agreement with retailers to phase out mulesing mutilations by the end of 2010, but last year the trade association reneged on its promise.

"Had AWI gone to work on a bare-breech breeding program five years ago instead of shuffling its feet, stalling, suing people, and trying to promote worthless products for the profit of AWI executives, the Australian wool industry would have met its deadline," says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. "Now it's up to the Australian government to step up and stop mulesing mutilations."

In a letter sent to Burke today, PETA urges the Australian government to immediately set up a timeline for implementing a genetic breeding program for sheep as a more humane and effective alternative to mulesing for flystrike control. If the government agrees to phase out mulesing in favor of genetic alternatives within two years, PETA will extend its campaign moratorium. PETA has successfully targeted international retailers and persuaded dozens of others to stop sourcing mulesed wool. The moratorium would otherwise expire at the end of this year.
                                                                                                  
PETA also informed Burke that it has asked the Office of the United States Trade Representative to make the timeline for implementing a genetic breeding program a condition of approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which is currently being negotiated with Australia.

PETA's letter to Australian Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA.org.