World says ‘No bloody thanks!’ to Australian sheep cruelty
World consumers are turning away in their droves from blood stained Australian wool. Horrific farm practices in Australia are being exposed thanks to the work of animal welfare groups including PETA and more recently the Swedish media. One of the current issues is the barbaric practice of muelsing, ripping the skin off the backside of live sheep to prevent flystrike which diminishes the export value of this woeful trade. At the same time we witness corruption of Australian government officials and a representative of Australian Wool Innovations, Kevin Craig.
The story broke when Swedish current affairs program, Kalla Fakta (Cold Facts), filmed a consultant for the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce, Kevin Craig, and an unidentified man – said to be an Australian embassy official – offering a free trip to Australia to an anti-mulesing campaigner. The campaigner, Katarina Lingehag Ekholm, was offered the trip on condition she did not speak out against mulesing on the TV4 program.
Mr Craig , possibly assuming European media is as corruptible as Australian media was caught on film saying:
“That offer has been approved from Australia. The Australian Government knows that we made the offer. And just because the way it works, there’s no way that they will let that happen if you have already gone on TV4, right.”
Wrong call Mr Craig! Some journalists act with pure intent and ethics and cant be bribed by shady characters such as yourself. This is all very reminiscent of that other Australian agricultural marketing arm, the Australian Wheat Board, caught with it pants down selling wheat to Saddam Hussein, while the UN enforced embargo was in place. Also similiar is the ’see no evil hear no evil’ response of the Australian government to the current crisis.
As the scandal spreads across Europe and North America, clothing manufacturers are battening down the hatches and looking for alternative ‘clean’ sources of wool, and at last more and more consumers are learning of the terrible cruelty of muelsing and live sheep exports. As the following letter shows the hard work of these animal welfare activists and journalists will also provide long term benefits for the Australian environment which is unsuited to this form of agriculture. If the Australian government acts with honesty and common sense, an opportunity to finally reform a sector of the economy that simply does not make economic sense. The image at the end of this article is quite horrific and should not be viewed by people who are not ready to view the stark reality of how cruel Australian farm practices are.
Unpublished letter sent to Australian Media:
No sense in ‘Riding on the Sheep’s Back’
The Victorian Farmers Federation is correct in saying animal rights groups are dividing the industry (Lorna Edward’s -Farm groups take sides on mulesing – March 11, 2008). The division of the industry, however, may not be such a bad thing. As with the climate change debate, agricultural activities which align to revised consumer expectations are the future, and outdated farming techniques prone to drama and consumer backlash reflective of our colonial past. The Rudd government expresses the desire to change and address these issues and in reality the mulesing controversy could be seen as the thin edge of the wedge – a reminder that we have been too lazy or too compromised by lobby groups, to implement the promised and required change.
An enquiry into the bribery allegations as suggested by Andrew Bartlett of the Democrats is a step in the right direction. The reputation of Australia was recently tarnished by the improper activities of the AWB, and similarly the reputation of Australian wool growers is now under the spotlight and rightly so. Informed consumer decisions in buyer markets is set to devastate part of the farm sector which is long overdue for an overhaul on so many levels. An enquiry, however, that defers change or creates further distractions would be a waste of taxpayers money. Far more simple and practical solutions can be gleaned from the controversy.
The mulesing debate need not get bogged down in alternatives or the related problem of flystrike which is possibly more devastating than the excruciatingly painful process of mulesing. That farms cannot manage livestock to prevent harm is a core issue yet it quickly expands when we examine the nature of the industry , its effects on animal welfare and the economics underpinning the entire supply chain of that sector. Therefore, Bartlett’s suggested enquiry could be expanded to include the broader issue of the economic benefits and environmental consequences of the farm sector. In fact, the government has been informed already through CSIRO research into the nature of the agricultural sector and its associated costs (Barney Foran- Future Dilemmas 2001). Climate Change and the need to restore bio-diversity brings this issue into the portfolio of Penny Wong. Sheep in summer months consume between 8 to 12 litres of water per day, the agriculture sector accounts for approximately 70 percent of total water consumed in Australia. When we then add land transfer costs and shipping this becomes a key area for attention by the afore mentioned Minister responsible for Climate Change and Water. When the problems (and solutions) have been scientifically tagged already why such delays in implementing required policy when everyone, including Ross Garnaut, supposedly agree upon the urgency for change?
There is a potential win for all sides if the Minister could address the bigger picture which contains the smaller ones and draw up a vision for the agricultural sector that enables employment and economic activity without the ongoing costs which have for so long been ignored. This would then include but not be limited to the plight of animals struggling to survive in dry arid environments. The same sheep which are struggling to survive harsh climatic conditions are consuming precious water and damaging native vegetation which again feeds into water, climate change and long term sustainable agriculture. The subsidies and tax assistance provided to the farm sector need to re-formed to manage and implement a longer-term vision which satisfies the needs and requirements of competing groups. At this point in Australian history we could well ask do we still need to be riding on the sheep’s back? Common sense, CSIRO science and now consumer sentiment replies with a resounding ‘NO’. Its now up to our politicians and farmers to act on known science and implement more sustainable activities that will be embraced by consumers and also reflect the change required to enable long term sustainable agriculture in what was but is clearly no longer ‘the lucky country’, riding precariously on the sheep’s back.
Image of muelsing follows:
Recent media:
Prince Charles and Retailer ‘Marks Spencer’ last ditch effort to aid Cruel Wool Industry in OZ - ‘no comment’ so far from RSPCA on latest stunt. (January 27, 2010) ‘There has been a shift towards man-made textiles, and the Prince of Wales deplores this because the man-made fibres end up in landfill,’ Mr Ackroyd said. ( but…the prince does’nt deplore cruelty to animals…maybe time for the prince and rspca PR agents to exchange notes or have a pow wow?)
The mulesing debate and how it is affecting the Australian wool industry : “The Australian wool industry seems on the verge of collapse. Norway has sought to legally ban the import of Australian wool from sheep considered to have been treated cruelly by mulesing…”
Nation jumps off the sheep’s back – as global consumers and retailers say ‘NO!’ to Australian farm cruelty.
Major retailer Liz Claiborne dumps Australian wool due to mulesing
Newly elected AWI director Laurence Modiano ignores the sheep cruelty and the mulesing phase out deadline – (The Australian 20-11-08)
Asian retail giant Kukdong bans Aussie wool over mulesing ( herald/sun 06-01-09)
The truth about wool The wool industry is also detrimental for our environment. Manure releases vast amounts of methane which heavily contribute to greenhouse gases and global warming. Fecal matter pollutes the water systems and the sheep cause soil erosion. Sheep are ‘dipped’ into toxic chemicals to ‘protect’ them from parasites which are poisonous and harmful for both the sheep and the environment.
decades, centuries of wool production… where is all the wool? wool products can last a lifetime. has once precious wool become fashion landfill?
my belief is that the dying dinosaur named Consumerism is eating itself to death and eventually with the raising of consciousness of the nature of our planet will move further than a merely uncomfortable despair of the exploitation and inequalities of mass production to a collective clarity in actually forsaking the convenience of quick-fixing our inane desires. can we really AFFORD the dreadful cost of some of the products we think we need?
australian agriculture is largely defunct, inefficient, cruel and irresponsible and only just being kept alive by floundering export markets, and perhaps not for long as europe is waking up to the reality of animal brutality in australian wool production.
there are responsible wool farmers in australia who do not resort to overpopulation and brutality who deserve support and recognition, all the way to the clothes rack.
friend of the woolies
13 Mar 08 at 4:39 am
Although this may seem like an advert, it is to let consumers know of responsible land managers who use no muelsing, use gentle techniques in shearing and tailing of the animals in their care. Maynards Well property has never muelsed, nor used surgical techniques for tailing or nutering. The wool clip this year is severely depleted due to loss of stock in this extended drought.
But, they persist and have sent wool for sale in Melbourne on 17th March. Contact email:www. elders.com.au to ask about ’sale 38′ of 29 bales of non-muelsed wool. The sheep on Maynards are feeding on chemical-free ground, dipped in organic anti-flystrike dips, with a clean fibre content.
The owners guarantee the wool was grown with love. Because of the drought the wool is fine micron but lower tensile strength.
They are proof that it can be done on a smaller scale and that management of the land and stock are carefully metered to continue sustainability with no degradation.
PS…this land needs water.
di
15 Mar 08 at 5:05 am
Smaller scale is the key…and its good to advertise these ethical wool opportunities – the non-muelsing options may not account for much volume so would be better used locally, again making more environmental sense…hang on to those old woolly jumpers…cant see myself buying a new one till our farms are sorted out!
nigel
15 Mar 08 at 6:28 am
What a load of shit have u even seen a fly blown sheep that hasnt been mulesd they have a 75% likly hood of dieing from fly strike if there not mulesd so shuv ur PETA bulshit up ur arse!!!
Bob Freeman
10 Feb 09 at 4:03 am
Thanks Bob, thats a great standard response but does’nt deal with the two key issues which PETA and the European community in particular have raised, and which industry (clothes) is responding to.
1/ Animal cruelty – you cant raise a secondary issue – like fly strike – to justify animal cruelty – animal cruelty is just not justified under any circumstances.
2/ The issue of flystrike is symptomatic of an industry in the wrong place at the wrong time and which has placed an animal otherwise referred to as ’stock’ in an unenviable position – solution – phase out industry which is having a negative effect on animals.
The show’s over…I have not had a chance to update this – will at some stage – the US is horrified by Australian Industry standards as is Europe. The good news is that outdated agricultural practices are on the way out thanks to consumers being better informed about the exact details of the supply chain – this is good news for sheep, consumers, the Australian agricultural sector and the environment.
nigel
10 Feb 09 at 4:14 am
Australian farmers should breed for sheep without extra skin folds which promote fly strike; as has been done for decades in S.A. where no mulesing is taking place. S.A produces wool without any mulesing.
Riana Swartz
27 Oct 09 at 6:21 am
“Charming” post Bob but you omitted to advise that many mulesed sheep are also fly struck.
Of course, this could be avoided if Farmer Bob (eh Brown?) inspected his flock occasionally rather than spending so much time in his counting house, counting out his money.
Curly
28 Oct 09 at 10:21 pm
Farmer Bob,
If you care for your sheep the right way they will not get flystrike. Trim off that wool in the back end and treat them with insecticide. Treat your animals well, and you will prosper. If you shear their skin, does the area not get infected? Do you not have to treat the wound?
I would love to get a pair of your own shears and shear the sorry hide off your arse and see how you like it! You are a sorry shame and a blight on the earth.
Can ya not see how freaking painful your actions are on a helpless animal? I hope when you least expect it, you have someone sneak up on you and do the same thing to you and show no mercy!
Juda
28 Nov 09 at 2:30 pm
I agree with “farmer Bob” how would you like this to be done to you?!!!! Your answer would be “NO!!”, right so what do you think a poor and helpless sheep would say to this?!!! You have no mercy!!! would you like it if someone had no mercy on you and do this to you? no, right so you need to stop doing this.
Michelle
18 Dec 09 at 10:57 am
Im not buying wool anymore, who knows whether it comes from Australia. There is other cruel activities happening on Australian farms that PETA and world dont know about, why has the world decided to just stop buying Australian wool? What about the poisoning (1080) of the native dog, the Dingo on the same farms that may be selling beef or kangaroo to europe as well. Fair enough, stop buying wool, but also where is smoke there is fire so maybe that Kali Kafta should pay their own way and visit a few outback farms in Australia.
Lisa
22 Jan 10 at 8:18 pm
thats so totally cruel! what kind of heartless evil people would to that to a defenseless sheep?
naomi
8 Feb 10 at 7:15 am
The quality of Australian sheeps wool is very high but our farmars have to pay more attentions towards these poor sheeps.
Pakistan News
2 Mar 10 at 9:51 pm
Australia is a great country, but please stop this cruelty. It is a disgrace to the country’s farmers. Don’t allow this!!
Morten Hansen
25 Mar 10 at 7:58 am
I have grown up on a farm my whole life, and have seen sheep have to be killed because of the ammount of pain they are in due to maggots slowly eating through their flesh. Meulsing is a practice that is done for the sheeps own welfare, not for ‘cruel farmers own enjoyment and profit’. Not meulsing a sheep and keeping flystrike away is not easy, as ‘farmer bob’ says. it means that the sheep are likley to unmdergo weeks and weeks of pain and suffering, as they are slowly eaten alive by fly larvae. Michelle, you wouldn’t like your arse filled with carniverous parasites, would you? If meulsing saves the sheeps life and stops flystrike, it is doing the sheep a kindness. You people don’t know shit.
ellen
18 May 10 at 6:44 pm
Lisa, these poor defenceless doggies that we poison are carnivores that tear sheep to peices,and eat one in 5 sheep that they kill. they are a danger not only to livestock but to people as well. if we let them live they would kill the sheep, and you would be getting up us for that instead.
ellen
18 May 10 at 6:46 pm
farmer bob
I would like to see someone shove a damp peice of flyblown wool down the back of your pants and see how you like being eaten alive for two weeks. the sheep are treated when they are meulsed, and the wound is healed within 2-3 weeks. it is a permanent solution, whereas your alternativewould take hours and hours of time that farmers do not have.
ellen
18 May 10 at 6:48 pm
hey bob freeman, you are the only other person here takling sense, kudos to you. I know what a sheep dying of flystrike looks like, and its not pretty.
ellen
18 May 10 at 6:50 pm
the current vitriole surrounding Muelsing of sheep can be answered in a few sentences.wool production by the top 20 % of producers is at best marginal when compared to growing crops or producing fat lambs from meat breed sheep.If the wool flock keeps diminishing at the current rate owing to the popularity and profitability of meat sheep and cropping muelsing will no longer be a problem.The only problem will be the supply of top quality wool and for those consumer s who like wool they will be paying more for the product.
john
25 Jun 10 at 4:16 pm
I am a shepherd from cumbria, england. We farm 5000 sheep on 3 farms, and blowfly is a big problem for us, however we treat it without haveing to do this muelsing. we dip the sheep once a year, before the main blowfly months of the year. this kills any bugs or insects in the fleece and on the sheep, and makes the blowfly larvae and eggs unable to live in the wool. it lasts about 3 months. we also clip away the dirtied wool at the rear of the sheep, and on the tail, and any cuts are treated with stockholm tar. this prevents the blowfly planting eggs in the muck around the sheeps arse. we call this clipping Dagging. some may say that this is labour intensive and takes much time, but the sheep is only dipped for 10 seconds, and I can dagg 350 sheep per hour. the more sheep you have, the faster the dipping can be and the more cost efficient it can be.
northern farmer
7 Jul 10 at 5:07 am