2007 News
No credibility for Joaquin Phoenix and PETA in attacking Australian woolgrowers
14 September 2007
The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce has today dismissed calls for an immediate end to mulesing made by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) latest puppet, Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix.
“Mr Phoenix’s calls for mulesing to end now are naïve and ill informed. Like the celebrities conned by PETA before him, he has no credibility in relation to this issue,” said Matthew Flugge, Manager of the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce.
“How many celebrity puppets must PETA parade before it gets the message that the Australian wool industry cannot simply end mulesing immediately?
“The industry has made a commitment to phase out mulesing by the end of 2010 and is working incredibly hard to develop commercially viable alternatives by this date.
“The reason we set the date of 2010 is because to stop mulesing now would be exceptionally cruel. Until an alternative becomes commercially available it is the only option woolgrowers have to ensure the welfare of their sheep. It is supported as necessary by the Australian Government, the Australian Veterinary Association and the RSPCA.
“PETA is again trying to mislead and deceive the Australian public and tarnish the name of hardworking Australian woolgrowers, who are already doing it tough enough with the drought.
“The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce will be making immediate contact with Mr Phoenix to set him straight on the real facts about our industry.
“We have learnt from experience that once celebrities have the facts from industry they quickly change their tune.
“We saw this with pop singer Pink earlier this year, who withdrew her support for PETA’s campaign on national television, admitting she had been “absolutely used” by the organisation.
“Australian actress Toni Collette also withdrew her support for PETA, stating the issue was not “as black and white” as PETA had led her to believe.
“We hope that Mr Phoenix can take the time, as Pink and Ms Collette did, to understand the truth and PETA’s radical agenda to hide it,” concluded Mr Flugge.
Flash back:
Jan 07 - Pink backdown: Deceived by PETA
Jul 05 - Toni Collette agrees no simple alternative to mulesing