2008 News
Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce acts appropriately to protect woolgrowers
8 March 2008
The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce (Taskforce) rejects allegations that it has tried to bribe an animal welfare activist, following claims made on a Swedish current affairs program.
“The Australian wool industry is a transparent and open industry that welcomes discussion. We are always open to speaking with people who wish to explore the industry and its operations first hand. We have nothing to hide,” said Don Hamblin, chair of the operations group of the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce.
“The Taskforce’s commitment is to retailers and explaining the industry’s determination to phase out mulesing by 2010 and to support wool growers as we move towards that date,” said Mr Hamblin.
“The Taskforce holds regular education sessions with growers, spinners, manufacturers and retailers and responds to all media inquiries globally on all aspects of the industry, including mulesing. We know from experience that by dealing with the facts with all-comers we have been able to keep most of the wool pipeline onside as we go through the period of adjustment as we head towards phasing out mulesing by 2010.
“The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce strategy over four years has been a determination to develop the alternatives to mulesing, to focus on the facts and to engage with key people along the wool industry pipeline and retailers. And it has worked. The industry remains united and focused on the commitment to phase out surgical mulesing by 2010.
“In Sweden, one person acting on our behalf, stepped out of line and against our expressed instructions in conversations with an activist. That person reported the conversations and was immediately and severely reprimanded and has been assigned to other duties. We have contacted the activist to explain that what happened was inappropriate and that we regretted it. It has been suggested he was with an embassy official in a meeting recorded by hidden cameras. That is wrong, the person was his junior employee taking notes.
“We understand that words like bribe are evocative; however, in this case it is a totally incorrect assumption. Unfortunately, this story is being stoked by groups who have an interest in undermining our task.”
The Taskforce has been actively replying to enquiries from retailers and manufacturers across Sweden, highlighting alternative technologies: clips, an intradermal and breeding bare breech sheep. The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce also supports the use of pain relief as part of the mulesing process. This has been promoted through retailer toolkits which have been distributed around the world.
Mr Hamblin said: “The Australian wool industry remains committed to honouring the agreement it made to retailers in 2004, and is on track to deliver a viable alternative to mulesing by 31 December 2010.
“On the other hand, the wool industry is fighting one of the most powerful and aggressive animal activist groups on earth, PETA, The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It has used all kinds of publicity stunts all over the world to drive its vegan agenda, from semi naked women to deliberate misinformation. It is bent on driving the wool industry out of business no matter how.”