2007 News
International retailers: delay is not an option
2 November 2007
The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce has today reaffirmed its commitment to international retailers to phase out mulesing by 31 December 2010.
“International retailers have purchased Australian Merino wool for the past three years in good faith, knowing the industry has committed to phasing out mulesing by the end of 2010,” said Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce spokesperson, Don Hamblin.
“The recent feedback we’ve received from these retailers is clear. It is simply not an option to delay the phase-out past 2010, or to continue mulesing beyond that date with the use of pain relief.
“In the past week I have personally seen five statements from major US and UK retailers who have again stressed to us that the mulesing issue must be resolved in accordance with the deadline.
“Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of welfare and environmental issues. If we do not honour our commitment, retailers will respond to these pressures and drop Australian Merino wool from their retail offer and Australian woolgrowers will lose their most important customers. It really is that simple.
“This would have a disastrous effect on the 35,000 woolgrowers across Australia and their families who rely on the wool export trade for their livelihoods. This would also have a negative flow-on effect to many communities across rural Australia that are already suffering with the drought.
“That is why the industry, along with the Australian Government, has spent millions of dollars on research to develop commercially viable alternatives by this date. I can report that there is excellent progress being made towards these alternatives and to the long term solution of breeding sheep that are less prone to flystrike,” said Mr Hamblin.
International retailers have also reiterated their support for the research and development work that Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is carrying out to develop the alternatives, and their thanks for the proactive stance the Taskforce has taken in dealing with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) campaign.
“In 2004 The Taskforce secured the support of two of the largest retailer organisations in the world - the National Retail Federation in the United States and the British Retail Consortium. Over the last three years we have worked incredibly hard to communicate regularly with these organisations and their members to keep them as up-to-date as possible about the phase-out process and to provide support and assistance if they are contacted by PETA,” said Mr Hamblin.
“This communication has been very well received. However, what would not be well received is delaying the phase-out beyond the end of 2010.
“The industry has made a firm commitment to retailers, our most important stakeholders, and any speculation that retailers will allow the industry to extend the deadline is walking a very dangerous line,” concluded Mr Hamblin.