2004 News
A message to Christmas shoppers - don't let PETA pull the wool over your eyes
The National Farmers' Federation is committed to protecting Australian livestock producers, particularly our sheep and wool producers, from a smear campaign by animal rights extremists in the lead-up to Christmas.
"NFF is committed to ensuring that all Australians are aware that PETA, an extremist animal rights group, is peddling misinformation in a deliberate attempt to shut down our wool industry," NFF President, Mr Peter Corish said.
Mr Corish's comments came after PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) staged a stunt in a Sydney shopping mall last week, targeting Christmas shoppers with their extremist message.
"We want to present the facts, so that Christmas shoppers who come across these extremists are not duped into believing the misinformation that PETA is pushing."
Mr Corish said the Australian public had a right to know more about PETA, which is currently focusing its activities against the farm management practice of mulesing.
"PETA is opposed to livestock production, fishing, horse racing, and even the use of guide dogs for the blind," Mr Corish said.
"PETA wants to put a stop to mulesing, but the fact is that without mulesing up to 3 million sheep would die in agony in a bad flystrike year. Mulesing is a highly-effective management practice in protecting merino sheep throughout their lifetime against flystrike by the unique and aggressive Australian blowfly.
"The Minister for Agriculture, the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, The Australian Veterinary Association and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals all agree with the farming community that mulesing is a necessary practice until a viable alternative is developed to protect sheep from an agonising death from fly-strike."
Mr Corish said Australia's sheep and wool industry had been allocating significant funds supporting research to find a non-surgical alternative to mulesing.
"The early results are promising and this research should be completed within three years, giving the industry confidence that it can honour its commitment to phase out surgical mulesing by 2010," Mr Corish said.
"Healthy and well-cared for sheep are vital in producing high quality wool and meat. Australia's farmers accord animal welfare the highest priority and will not condone cruelty to animals in any circumstances."
Media release provided by the National Farmers' Federation - www.nff.org.au
More information:
- Read the 60 Minutes story transcript
- Mulesing - this site's main mulesing resource.