The Wire

A major US retailer has refused to sell products using Australian merino wool after a threatened boycott by animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). They say the practice of ‘mulesing’ or crutching to stop sheep getting flyblown is inhumane. Australian animal rights activist Ralph Hahnheuser says the boycott is deserved and is probably the first of many. Sharon Turner from Australian Wool Producers says mulesing is necessary to stop sheep from suffering an agonising death from fly strike. She says they are working on alternatives but at the moment there is no alternative to mulesing.

PETA’s website